Norvilla Alice (Tommy) Copes, age 87, of Blooming Grove, Indiana passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, December 18, 2017, after a six-month battle with leukemia. Her husband of 59 years, Eugene, was holding her hand when she died.
“Tommy” as her friends knew her, was born September 16, 1930 in Connersville, Indiana the seventh born of eight children to Howard Preston & Alice Rosalind (Sparks) Thomas. Norvilla married Eugene Lowell Copes on August 16, 1958 at the First Methodist Church in Connersville, Indiana.
Norvilla attended Bunker Hill Elementary School and graduated from Connersville High School in 1948. She moved from 11TH Street in Connersville to Blooming Grove after marrying Eugene and helped run his family farm. Her work life was primarily as a secretary for businesses in Brookville and Connersville, and she was an exceptional typist (130 words per minute) and she regularly took Gregg shorthand.
She was an excellent pie baker and exercised the gift of hospitality in organizing countless office luncheons and special events. She had a heart for the less fortunate and seldom missed an opportunity to give food, clothing or other gifts to those in need. In her 70’s she took up stained glass work, painting, and simple crafts; and she has left her children with many cherished paintings and mementos.
Besides Eugene, her husband of 59 years, survivors include three sons, Jerry Thomas (Cheryl) Copes, Brian Reed (Donna) Copes and Douglas Miller Copes; a brother, Manford W. Thomas; and was blessed with 7 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.
Norvilla was preceded in death by her parents, and six siblings, Howard Preston Thomas Jr., Catherine Elizabeth (Glenn) Meyer, Charles Arthur Thomas, Marjorie Naomi (Claude) Nettles, Sylvan Evans Thomas, and Elliott Sparks Thomas.
Family & friends may visit from 4:00 until 8:00 P.M. on Wednesday, December 20, 2017 at Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home, 1025 Franklin Ave., Brookville.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, December 21, 2017 at Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home, with family friend Mr. Charles (Chuck) Grimes officiating. Burial will then follow in Maple Grove Cemetery in Brookville.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Margaret Mary Hospital, The Hanson Center, and Margaret Mary Hospice for their professionalism, caring, and compassion over the last few months.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Blooming Grove Volunteer Fire Department. The staff of Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home are honored to serve the Copes family, to sign the online guest book or send personal condolences please visit www.phillipsandmeyers.com.