Peggy Loveless Copeland

A native of Hickman County, she was the daughter of Lee and Georgia Parham Loveless. At an early age she lost her father and went on to be raised by her step-father, James Benjamin Hayes, who loved her as his own. The family moved to Winchester, TN where she graduated from Franklin County High School and met the love of her life, Gerald S. Copeland. They married in 1958 and resided in Winchester with their daughter Lori.

Peggy retired from the financial aid department at Motlow State Community College and spent her retirement entertaining her grandchildren, playing cards, and spending time with her mother, daughter, family, and friends.

Always a champion of her family, Peggy (“Grams”) loved her grandchildren to the ends of the earth. She rarely missed one of her grandson’s soccer games, donning her favorite straw hat and sitting on her red folding seat. She supported her granddaughter’s travel adventures by helping plan trips and staying up until 2 AM to get online for tickets, because “people aren’t in line then.”

Peggy’s fudge will always be a coveted and cherished family recipe. Prior to her Alzheimer’s diagnosis, there wasn’t a family gathering or holiday without tins filled with all types of fudge to ensure everyone had a bite of their favorite. That was Peggy. Always ensuring everyone had a bite of something they loved, regardless of how many variations she had to make.

She was loved by many, those related to her and those that just met her in passing. It was hard to miss her mischievous grin, her wit, and her kind heart. The care team at the Burton Court Memory Care Unit truly transformed Peggy’s last year into one filled with laughter, friends, and activities. She blossomed there and the family would like to thank the entire team for giving her the best of the best. Along with her friend and loyal sidekick, Pam Vaughn, Peggy knew nothing but adventure, love, and strength throughout her journey with Alzheimer’s.

The family would also like to thank Dr. Pate and the nurses at St. Thomas West who cared for her.

Peggy is survived by her daughter Lori Chamberlain Wharton, son-in-law Charles E. Wharton, grandchildren Caroline and Andrew Chamberlain of Nashville, brother David Hayes and his wife Daphna of Murfreesboro, her sister Debbie Nations and husband Tom of Perryville, Missouri; nieces Shawn Summers Wolfe, Amy Nations, Linda Wylie Cochran, Claudia Copeland Bowman; and nephews Jim Nations, Jason Summers, and Jay Copeland.

She is preceded in death by her husband Gerald S. Copeland (1986), mother Georgia Hayes (2013), father Lee Loveless (1934), step-father James Benjamin Hayes (1967), and many beloved friends, both human and animals alike.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to either your local animal shelter or to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. The family will have a private celebration of life ceremony.