Obituary of Mary E. Copeland-Poncho

Copeland-Poncho, Mary E. ~ Age 70, of Myrtle Creek, Oregon, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, July 9, 2011. She was born on April 6, 1941, one of three daughters to Earnest & Lola Evins of Mena, Arkansas. She was raised and educated in Crescent/Gilchrist, Oregon. When Mary was young she began playing the piano and singing for various church and community events, this began a lifelong commitment to serving Christ through music. She was a vocalist & pianist for various churches in the Douglas County Area. Mary was a lettered cheerleader of which she is still friends with all of her cheer mates and was also 1st Runner up for the Deschutes County Jr. Miss Oregon Pageant, only missing the title by 1 point. Mary was a licensed beautician, keeping her license current even to the time of death. She had also worked as a model and dental assistant. Her favorite roll was that of mother to Amy Johnson & Lance Copeland, then later adding in her step children, Heddy Poncho, Vicki Whalen, Calvin Poncho Jr. and the late Diana Poncho and Kenny Poncho. She was united in marriage to Al Copeland & then to the late and wonderful, Calvin Poncho Sr. She was a member of VFW Post 7752 in Myrtle Creek, attended & played piano for the Church of God of Myrtle Creek, and was an active member of the ALS Support Group of Salem. She is survived by her sister, Fay Hill of Gilchrist, Oregon, the above children, and grandchildren, Lance & Annie Johnson; Ava & Ezra Copeland; Chris, Michael & Robin Coltrin; Kyle Vaara & Ella Botts; Tyler, Ryan & Garett Poncho; Joseph, Julia, Kelsey & Erin Whalen; Great Grandchildren, Daven & Wyatt Boyd, Calvin Vaara. Services will be held at the First Baptist Church in Myrtle Creek, located at 1040 NE Lillian Street, on Saturday, July 23, 2011 at 1:00 p.m.