Truly a Black Friday

The Coppenger Family had a truly Black Friday as they mourn the loss of a beloved daughter, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, great aunt, coworker and friend. She went home to be with Jesus on Friday and we all know that she was fully at peace. She was assured of her place in heaven and longed to be with our Savior, Jesus Christ. Being far away from family at this time is hard.

Aunt Anne (or technically my aunt-in-law) was such a neat lady. I first met her when she, Sharon, and Aunt Sue organized a bridal shower for me in Arkansas while Caleb was in Iraq. I could tell from the first time I met her she was a women who loved people and they sure did love her too. Then she, Aunt Sue, and Rebecca showed up again at the Rehearsal Dinner and did what only those ladies could by way of turning a fellowship hall into a room with romantic ambiance. (Complete with using the big fern to camoflage the basketball hoop!) Just before our first Christmas she sent me a box of ornaments for a new bride to start of her Christmas collection. WoW! I think it was shortly after my first Christmas as a Coppenger that we learned of her cancer. That began her battle and she battled it gracefully and full of courage. I got to talk to her about two weeks before she died and she was her same fun self.

What I remember most about Aunt Anne is her thoughtfulness. She cared enough to fly to Florida to be with Caleb, Alethia, and I at a very special time in our lives. She organized a rafting trip for us and a babysitter so we could spend some time meeting special folks in her life and enjoying nature. She would send cards and emails just to say hello. I still have pieces of a calendar she sent me because it reminded her of me and she wanted me to laugh. Even though we are 10,000 miles away she still sent us birthday presents complete with real cards using snail mail. She didn't forget Christmas or even Valentine's Day. She made Alelthia

this precious outfit and it fits her perfectly now. She even when to great links to have Caleb, Alethia and I in attendance at Chesed and Jeremy's wedding (Caleb's sister) this past August by having life size cardboard cutouts of us. But I have to say what impressed me most and touched my heart was when the only Happy Mother's Day card (besides the ones from Caleb and Alethia) was from Aunt Anne. How did she know?? You see Aunt Anne never was a biological mother but she had a mother's heart. She was one of those people who really gave you special gifts because she knew you and listened to you, not because she had to but because she wanted to. I know I am not the only one who was touched and can attest to her kindness.

Aunt Anne was blessed by God to be a blessing to all and she lived up to that. I join with the Coppenger family in saying good bye to a precious woman of God. Aunt Anne we will miss you.