Norma Copeland Elliott, 81, of Ocilla, Georgia, died Sunday, September 10, 2017, at Tift Regional Medical Center in Tifton.
Funeral services will be held 11 AM, Wednesday, September 13, 2017, at Ocilla Baptist Church in Ocilla, with the Rev. Robert Couey officiating. Interment will follow in Frank Cemetery, Irwin County. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday.
Mrs. Elliott was born June 15, 1936, in Arabi, Georgia, to the late Everette Curtis & Hattie Bell Garrison Copeland. She was a 1954 honor graduate of McRae-Helena High School in Telfair County where she excelled in basketball, being named All-State for four consecutive years. Following graduation, she enrolled at Mercer University where she received her nursing education. She worked at the Macon Hospital for several years and later the VA Hospital in Dublin. Following marriage, she moved to Fitzgerald in 1961 and worked at the Colony Home. Four years later, she and her husband moved to Ocilla where they would spend the next 50 years together. She worked in nursing at Irwin County Hospital and later became Administrator of the Hospital and adjoining Nursing Home. Mrs. Elliott became the clinical instructor for the LPN program at Ben Hill-Irwin Tech and would teach for 25 years. She traveled throughout the United States on SACS evaluation teams at local technical schools. She served her community well as a long-time member of the Irwin County Library Board and the Irwin County Hospital Authority. She was a member of the Ocilla Pilot Club and was an avid bridge player. She was an active member of Ocilla Baptist Church for over 50 years. She taught Sunday school and worked on the Benevolent Committee. A strong supporter of missions, Mrs. Elliott was active in the WMU as well.
She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Kermit L. Elliott of Ocilla; their sons: Kell Elliott of Valdosta and Kent & Angela Elliott of Charleston, South Carolina; grandchildren: Karolyn & Paul Baker of San Jose, California, Jordan Elliott of Rome, Chris Clevenger of Savannah, Morgan Elliott of Valdosta, and Madison Elliott of Valdosta; great-grandchildren: Christian Baker and Barbara Grace Baker; a sister, Emma Jean & Grady Williams of McRae; and two brothers: Everette & Claudia Copeland of Smithville and Don & Connie Copeland of Dublin; a sister-in-law, Margaret Copeland of Hinesville, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, M.C. Copeland.
The family suggests those desiring to send memorials may send them to Ocilla Baptist Church, P.O. Box 101, Ocilla, GA 31774 or to Frank Cemetery Fund, c/o Walter Sumner, P.O. Box 112, Ocilla, GA 31774.