Portia Brown Coppes
Born: January 1st, 1970
Died: March 17th, 2017
Obituary
Portia Pauline Brown Coppes, 94, of West Burlington died Friday, March 17, 2017, at Great River Klein Center in West Burlington.
Born in 1922 on a farm near Pulaski, she was the older of two children of Pauline Jeffrey Brown and William Dawson Brown. She married Earl L. Coppes of Yarmouth March 10, 1943; he preceded her in death.
In 1961, Mrs. Coppes began working for First Methodist Church in Burlington as parish assistant. She worked there for 26 1/2 years under seven
pastors. She contacted members who hadn’t been in church for years, greeted newcomers and visited those who were elderly, housebound, in nursing
homes or in hospitals. She was known as the “banana lady” for bringing bananas to those she visited. She also was an active member of the church and
its Sarah Circle.
Sewing, crocheting and knitting were a favorite hobby, even as a child. In her retirement, she started Portia’s Alteration Service.
She joined Eastern Star in 1964 and held many offices in the organization, including Worthy Matron twice, and she was appointed Grand Ruth for the
State of Iowa Grand Chapter.
She was a docent at the Historical Society’s Apple Trees Museum, an ambassador for the Burlington Chamber of Commerce, a member of the
Soroptimist Club and RSVP and an active member of the Democratic Party.
She graduated from Burlington High School in 1940.
Survivors include two daughters, Carol Forest of Brisbane, Calif., and Tamara Knak of Des Moines; three grandchildren; two greatgrandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her son, a grandson and her brother.
Her body was deeded to the University of Iowa College of Medicine, as was her husband’s seven years ago.
There will be a memorial service for Mrs. Coppes at First United Methodist Church in Burlington on a date to be announced.
Prugh Funeral Service has assisted with arrangements.