Ruth Copeland

Ruth was born in 1919 in Texas, and was one of eight children of Lonnie Elmer and Anna Belle Williams.

Ruth was known for her lifelong beauty and charm. She competed in the Miss Texas competition in 1939 and represented he city of Liberty Texas at festivities surrounding the Miss America pageant in Florida that year. Until the end of her life she was still turning heads with her beautiful blue eyes and winning smile.

She married Forrest Lann (Doc) Copeland in 1940, and they remained a devoted couple for over 60 years until his death in 2007.

Ruth worked at an interior design firm in Houston, Texas for several years, and both she and her husband were very active in community affairs in Texas. Their two children, Lann and Anita, moved with them to Canada in 1969 after Forrest retired due to ill health. The family resided on the Saanich Peninsula for many years, where Ruth owned the Brentwood Bargain Barn and participated in the arts community.

After her retirement in the 1980’s, Ruth spent her time looking after her grandchildren, Christina and Tony Kess, and using her sewing and design skills to create clothing for her grandchildren and grand-dogs. She was also famous for her cookies and banana pudding, which she shared liberally with her neighbors and friends.

Ruth would want to thank everyone who helped her in recent years, but especially her wonderful nurses, caregivers and other staff at the Central Care Home and the Heights at Mount View, and her many kind neighbors and friends who included her in their busy lives. Thanks also to her medical friends, Drs. Heera Bindra and Herb Domke for their kindness and expertise.

A private service will be held for invited guests at a future date. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Baptist Housing Ministries.