Verna Marie Copeland, age 81, a longtime resident of the Harbor, died on Nov. 19, 2019, at Grays Harbor Community Hospital in Aberdeen. Mrs. Copeland was born on Dec. 12, 1937, in Centralia, Washington, to Clifford Ira and Ella May (Garlinghouse) Hodges.

At the age of 3, she came to Hoquiam with her family from Gate, Washington, and attended Washington Grade School. After moving to Aberdeen, she attended the old Stevens school in South Aberdeen, Miller Junior High School and graduated from Weatherwax High School in 1956.

She worked for J.C. Penney for more than 35 years, mostly in the catalog department. From 2005 to 2015, she worked as a slot attendant and a keno runner for Quinault Beach Resort and Casino.

Verna had been a member of the Alder Grove Church of God in Aberdeen for more than 68 years and had been active in most every capacity including treasurer. In later years, she earned a certificate to provide pastoral services while volunteering at Grays Harbor Community Hospital.

She enjoyed gardening, bowling and working with plastic canvas.

She is survived by two sisters, Wilma Hudson of Taholah and Rosalie Lankow (Paul) of Hillsboro, Oregon; those that she considered her special kids, Joe (Brenna) Lankow of Boise, Idaho, Mandy Hudson-Howard (Archie) of Taholah, Caitlin Howard (Jaren) of Taholah, Max Howard of Taholah, Baby Blaine Ancheta and Ashton Moody, both of Taholah and numerous other nieces and nephews. A brother, Kenneth Hodges died in 2007.

A memorial service will be at noon on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019, at the Alder Grove Church of God, 1800 Coolidge Road, Aberdeen, Washington. A reception will follow at the church. A private urn committal service will precede the service.

Cremation arrangements are by the Coleman Mortuary in Hoquiam.

Please take a few moments to record your thoughts for the family by signing the online register at www.colemanmortuary.net.