Donald Copper, Sr

Donald Russell Copper Sr. was born on December 27, 1943 in Talbot County to the late
Russell and Ludelia T. Copper and ascended to his heavenly home from Autumn Lake
(Cambridge, MD) on April 16, 2023.
Donald attended the Public Schools in Talbot County and graduated in the class of 1961
at Moton High School. Donald retired from Standard Fusee and the State of Maryland. Donald
was a member of New Jerusalem Church of God in Christ Jesus under the leadership of Bishop
Clarence Cornish Sr., where he and his wife Valarie were baptized and served as faithful
members. Donald was also ordained as an Elder and loved working in the church. Later, Donald
continued his Elder duties at Greater Chief Cornerstone Temple Church under the leadership of
Bishop Keith Cornish. He continued attending church even when his health began to fail, and he
never lost his faith in the Lord. Donald’s favorite saying was, “The devil thought he had me, but
I got away.”
Donald had a natural love for children. He served as a foster parent for 20 years. Donald
loved gardening and spending time with his family. Everyone loved his homemade iced tea and
he made sure to have jugs ready for the family to take home with them. He also had another
specialty, his famous corn pudding. Nobody could make corn pudding like him. The joy of his
life was spending time with his grandchildren, and they knew it. They would all ask him who
was his favorite, and he had a special way of making each one of his grandchildren feel special
and loved.
On April 16, 2023, Donald was reunited with his parents, wife Valarie, sons Donald Jr.
and Dwight, paternal grandparents Mr. Edward and Mrs. Lola Copper, maternal grandparents
Mr. Arthur and Mrs. Madora Thomas, aunts, Mary, Dorothy, Lillian, Rosetta, Stella, Ada,
Margie and Vernice, uncles Lawrence, Earl, Leon and Ernest, his Mother in Love Rosie Cornish,
who loved him as her own son and siblings of his wife Mrs. Valarie Copper, that he loved as his
own brothers and sisters; Bishop Clarence Cornish Sr., Andrew, Larry and Melvin Cornish,
Mother Margaret Cephas, and Ernestine Cornish Thompson.
Donald will be missed, and his memories will be treasured by his devoted daughter
Kimberly (Darryl) and her children Kimberly, Kambre, Treasure, and Isaiah. His sons Rodgers
(Theresa), children Roderick and Shavonya; son Frederick and his daughter Rasheen, Kentral
Copper (Shawnetta) children Jovontae, Shamar, Joseph and Kharmisa, Tromar Mapp and his son
Tromar Jr., and Allen Mapp; children Alaysia, Allahna; great-grandchildren Roderick Jr., Omar,
Zaiana, Zamari, Zayden, Ashata, Shakur, Ya’el. God-great grandchildren Andrew and Abigail
Cornish whom he loved to see on their visits, sister in Love Audrey George, Mother Rosa Lee
Cornish, Dora Cornish, Aunt Agnes Hubbard, Uncles: Albert Thomas, Harvey Thomas (Barbara)
and Elwood Thomas (Bonnie), daughter-in-law Portia Copper, and a host of nieces, nephews,
family, and friends.