Obituary for Mavis Ann “Mae” Copeland Moore

Mavis Ann “Mae” Copeland Moore departed this life and gained her heavenly wings August 17, 2023. Born April 2, 1948, she was the daughter and fifth child born to the late Jo Kate Copeland in Harriman, Tennessee.  Mavis attended Jamieson Elementary School in Harriman and graduated from Harriman High School. Shortly after, she became the first woman of color to work as a nurse’s aide at Harriman Hospital. Here, she received her first introduction to nursing, a field that would later become her life-long career.  To further cultivate her passion for nursing, Mavis relocated to Knoxville, Tennessee to study nursing at the University of Tennessee. While there, she initially completed and earned her Licensed Practical Nurse (L.P.N.) certificate and then later returned to complete her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing along with the training and certifications to become a Registered Nurse.

Mavis was very dedicated and deeply devoted to caring for others.  Throughout her career she worked as a nursing director, registered nurse, charge nurse, school nurse, trainer, educator, mentor, and licensed practical nurse. She was employed with various hospitals, nursing facilities, schools, and private duty care agencies in Atlanta, Georgia, Chicopee, Massachusetts, Oak Ridge and lastly, in Knoxville, Tennessee, where she later retired after fifty plus years of service. From 2003 up until 2022, Mavis was an active member of the Upsilon Chi Chapter of the Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc. We are joined today by her beloved sorority sisters.

Mavis professed hope in Christ at a very young age, actively attended local churches, and later became a member of Trinity Baptist Church. She was a lovable person, a compassionate nurse, and a friend to all.  She loved her family, her friends, and her patients.  Whenever someone was in need, she was always willing to administer medical attention or to simply lend a helping hand. Her vast knowledge, patience, and gentle bedside demeanor provided a sense of comfort to all of the many patients she served, students she trained, and nurses she mentored. Mavis took a genuine interest in the many lives she touched and she will always be remembered for her graciousness, benevolence, and kindness.

In addition to her parents, Mavis was preceded in death by her husband Clarence Moore, brothers Eugene Lowry and Melvin Copeland, sister Janice “Dixie” Copeland, and nephew, Donald Faye Copeland.

Mavis leaves to mourn and treasure her memory son, Allen Lee Moore (Michelle) of Knoxville, Tennessee, grandsons, Allen Moore, Jr. and DeJuan Gilchrist (Amanda) of Knoxville, Tennessee, granddaughter, Mauricia Lanxter of Knoxville, Tennessee, brother Joel Copeland (Elizabeth) of Stone Mountain, Georgia, nephew, LaRoy Copeland of Fayetteville, North Carolina, nieces; Damida-Joe Lowry of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Jovanna Lowry of Chamblee, Georgia, Tonya Copeland of Stone Mountain, Georgia, Michelle Copeland, Dionne Copeland, and Whitney Copeland of Decatur, Georgia, and a host of other close relatives and many friends to include special friends, Betty Blackman of Florida and Rosalind Taylor of Knoxville, Tennessee.

Family will receive friends, Saturday September 2, 2023 from 11:30 to 12 at Payne Avenue Missionary Baptist Church, 2714 Martin Luther King Jr Ave, Knoxville, TN 37914. With celebration of life services to follow. Rev. Richard Brown Jr. officiating. Final arrangements by Jarnigan and Son Mortuary. www.jarniganandson.com

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