By Fred L. Jones, Jr.
Eagle Staff Writer
Mae Kathryn Copeland, 92, former teacher and legal secretary, died Saturday, March 17.
For God so loved Mae Kathryn Copeland that he gave his one and only Son Christ Jesus, whom she believed in faithfully throughout her entire life, so be it by her faith and confession, Mother Copeland has inherited eternal life.
Mae Kathryn Copeland was born September 23, 1925, in Tulsa, Okla., to Tulsa pioneers Wilson Hendrix Jarrett and Jo Pearl Nicholson Jarrett. Mae Kathryn was one of six children. Mae Kathryn graduated Booker T. Washington’s High School Class of 1942 at the age of 16. She was named “Most Cultured” by her classmates. She had a quick mind, and a quick wit which she carried with her to Fisk University, entering the Freshman class before she was 17 years old, and becoming an honors student. In 1946 Mae Kathryn earned her B.A. degree from Fisk; she went on to further her education at the University of Michigan Law School, and later Langston University, and the University of Tulsa.
Mae Kathryn Copeland was a Mother to many. Pastor Anthony Scott of First Baptist Church North stated: “Mrs. Mae Kathryn Copeland was the primary human instrument God used in bringing me to First Baptist Church North Tulsa. It began with an initial contact during the ice storm of 2006 when she inquired about my interest in being a pastoral candidate. After sensing my hesitancy, she committed the matter to prayer and again contacted me in 2007. My response this second time was yes Sister Copeland, I will pursue the opportunity and see what God has in store.”
She has served on the Board of the American Red Cross, Neighbor for Neighbor, Inc., the Oklahoma Council of Juvenile Justice. She was a member of Alpha Chi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, a charter member of the Tulsa Chapter of Links Inc., former member of the Women’s Association-Tulsa Philharmonic Society, Inc., Philbrook Art Center, a former member of the Executive Committee and former Chairperson of the Women’s Committee of the National Conference of Christians and Jews. She was a past president of the Dunbar Day Nursery Board, the Women’s Committee of the National Council of Christians and Jews, Board of Directors of NCCJ; a member of the Panel of American Women, and the Varick-Timothy Day Care Center Board of Directors. She worked with the United Negro College Fund and was a co-sponsor of the Tulsa Chapter of the NAACP youth group.
Charles Christopher who grew up across the street from the Copeland family stated, “Mother Copeland was a wonderful Lady from an outstanding family. She was truly my second mother. We were from the era when neighbors looked after all the children in the community. She helped me start my entrepreneurship at 8 years old by giving me duties to keep up their expanding estate (House). All the neighborhood boys also had an opportunity to work as barn helpers while her daughter Robin competed in Equestrian horse competition. My memories of her will never stop.”
Homegoing services for Mae Kathryn Copeland are Monday, March 26th at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church North Tulsa located at 1414 N Greenwood Avenue.
Mae Kathryn Copelands entire obituary:
The Beginning: Mae Kathryn Copeland was born September 23, 1925, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Tulsa pioneers Wilson Hendrix Jarrett and Jo Pearl Nicholson Jarrett. Mae Kathryn was one of six children (one of whom died in early infancy). Reared in North Tulsa on Greenwood Street where her parents owned and operated a grocery store, her Mother also owned and operated a small gift and lingerie shop and at one point operated a private kindergarten. Mae Kathryn’s childhood was secure and complete as all “Negroes” of that time needed could be had on Greenwood or in the surrounding neighborhood: churches, schools, stores, movie theaters, restaurants, transportation, dry cleaners, etc.
She was taught by the living example of her Mother the importance of family…the importance of being a positive impact on the lives he or she touches. Mae Kathryn once wrote that we must remember that”God only holds us accountable for the talents He has given us.” Reflecting on the example of her Mother, she wrote that “Jo Pearl Jarrett, despite the fact she had a husband and five children and had a full-time job outside the home, found the time to listen to, to advise, to care, and to share with countless young people who had gone astray, or felt they had no one to talk to, or were just so confused they no longer knew which way was up.” These were guiding principles for Mae Kathryn in how she lived her life.
Education: Mae Kathryn thrived throughout her school career, graduating in the Booker T. Washington High School Class of 1942 at the age of 16. She was named “Most Cultured” by her classmates. She had a quick mind, and a quick wit which she carried with her to Fisk University, entering the Freshman class before she was 17 years old, and becoming an Honors student. In 1946 Mae Kathryn earned her B.A. degree from Fisk; she went on to further her education at the University of Michigan Law School, and later Langston University, and the University of Tulsa.
Marriage and Family: Mae Kathryn married Arthur Robinson and to this union were born two little girls: Linda April and Marijo. The marriage ended. And then, Robert B. Copeland returned home from the Korean Conflict after being a Prisoner of War. He’d had plenty of time to think about the woman he wanted to marry and that woman was Mae Kathryn Jarrett. He began visiting her Mother, writing Mae Kathryn letters, visiting Mae Kathryn every chance he could. In August of 1956 Mae Kathryn and Robert were married.
They built their own home which became a gathering place for family and friends. Mae Kathryn with her listening ear; Mae Kathryn, with her loving heart; Mae Kathryn, with her gentle, firm advice; and Mae Kathryn, with her open arms of welcome. Robert adopted the girls. Then in 1961 Mae Kathryn and Robert gave birth to Robin Kathryn.
Career: Prior to her marriage to Robert, Mae Kathryn joined the faculty of Rosedale Elementary School in Ft. Worth, Texas, where she worked as a teacher and nurse. After moving back to Tulsa, Mae Kathryn accepted a position in the office at Carver Junior High School; later she would teach English and Spanish. After Robin was born, Mae Kathryn became a homemaker until she began working as a legal secretary for her husband, Attorney Robert B. Copeland.
Church: Mae Kathryn accepted Christ as her Savior at an early age, becoming a member of First Baptist Church North Tulsa. A faithful and involved member, Mae Kathryn was a member of the Jobie Holderness Circle, a Sunday School teacher to both high school classes and adult classes, member of the Baptist Training Union and Women of First Baptist. She was the 43rd Annual Women’s Day Speaker at First Baptist. Pastor Emeritus, LeRoy K. Jordan, commented that one of his daughters said of Sister Copeland “Daddy, I like Mrs. Copeland because she speaks our language. That’s a high tribute…” In November, 2017, at the 110th Church Anniversary, Mae Kathryn was recognized by the congregation, as the Trailblazer who is the oldest living church member. She continued to attend First Baptist until about two months prior to her death.
Community Activist: Over the years, community has been extremely important to Mae Kathryn. She has served on the Board of the American Red Cross, Neighbor for Neighbor, Inc.; the Oklahoma Council of Juvenile Justice. She was a member of Alpha Chi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, a charter member of the Tulsa Chapter of Links Inc., former member of the Women’s Association-Tulsa Philharmonic Society, Inc.-Philbrook Art Center, a former member of the Executive Committee and former Chairperson of the Women’s Committee of the National Conference of Christians and Jews
Mae Kathryn was a past president of the Dunbar Day Nursery Board, the Women’s Committee of the National Council of Christians and Jews, Board of Directors of NCCJ; a member of the Panel of American Women, and the Varick-Timothy Day Care Center Board of Directors. She worked with the United Negro College Fund and was a co-sponsor of the Tulsa Chapter of the NAACP youth group. She was a staunch supporter of many of Tulsa political leaders.
Mae Kathryn was a world traveler visiting Greece and Egypt and the Caribbean; visiting many states in the U.S. from the West Coast to the East Coast and States in between; she floated the Snake River in Idaho, saw Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Canyon. Some of her most favorite visits were to New York City where she and sister Vernice enjoyed the excitement of big city life with her brother Hobart and his wife Glad.
Mae Kathryn was preceded in death by her parents, Jo Pearl Jarrett and Wilson Hendrix Jarrett; and four of her siblings: Dr. Hobart Sydney Jarrett, Jack Wilson Jarrett (who died early in infancy), Rev. Willie “Billie” Earl Jarrett, and Brooksie Nell Sylvan. Surviving to cherish her memory and live the lessons she taught are daughters Linda April Rozell (David), Marijo Copeland Grissom, and Robin Kathryn Copeland; her sister, Vernice Bess Jarrett; sisters-in-law Anna Dorsey and Madestella Holcomb; grand children Damian Rozell, Jason Rozell (Keisha), April Johnson (John), Jamal Holmes (Sydnee), Kathryn Holmes; 21 great grand children; 4 great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, and friends.
