Delilah "Dee" Joan Copenhaver
Delilah Joan Copenhaver, 83, of Daleville, VA went to be with the Lord on July 3, 2026.
She and her twin brother David, were born in Baltimore, Maryland on January 5, 1943. Dee later moved to Roanoke, VA where she attended Burlington Elementary School in Hollins, VA and graduated from William Byrd High School in Vinton, VA in 1961.
After graduating from high school she studied psychology and sociology at Ferrum, Emory and Henry colleges. She came out of school with the idea that she could “save the world” which led her to teaching, first Special Education and later on Gifted Education. Dee loved teaching and retired in 1998 after over 38 years of teaching.
After retirement she became actively involved in volunteer work to include Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels, and the Bradley Free Clinic where she interviewed clients and filled prescriptions. She did volunteer work for the Plato Centers for gifted children in Roanoke City. She also tutored reading through the HOST Program and was a volunteer with the Literacy Volunteers of America-Roanoke Valley on a regular basis at one time. When she was not busy with her regular volunteer work Dee was introduced to a project that supplied dolls to children at Christmas. She literally loved making the dolls and seeing the joy they delivered.
She did all of this while caring for her husband Joe who was the love of her life. If two people were meant to be married and enjoy each other’s company it was Dee and Joe. Now they are together once again.
Dee was a charter member of the Northview United Methodist Church and active in the church up until her death. The first thing she will do when she enters heaven is volunteer for something.
Some of Dee’s outside interests involved reading. She loved to read books from the local library and the Roanoke Times newspaper. She loved to do the Jumble puzzle and call her twin brother when she could not figure out the answer. Dee was a whiz at Sudoku, her brother was not. She never met a parade that she didn’t like and was a charter shopper, if there is such a thing, at Talbot’s. With her passing, Talbots may go out of business.
A special thanks to all of her friends at The Glebe for being there when she needed you, the medical personnel at The Glebe for taking care of her on many occasions, as well as to her lunch girlfriends who were always there for each other. All of you are special.
A very special thanks to her companion “Leon” who watched over Dee just as she watched over him.
Preceding her in death were her devoted husband, Joe Copenhaver; mother, Nona Davis Hill; father John L. Church; sisters Nancy Wade and Margaret Almeida.
She is survived by her twin brother, David L. Church and his wife Shirley of DeLand, Florida; as well as numerous other loving family and friends.
Dee’s family expresses sincere appreciation to the staff at Lewis Gale Medical Center, especially Dr. Asamoah for their loving care over her many visits to the hospital.
A funeral service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at Northview United Methodist Church, 512 Ridgecrest Drive, Hollins, VA. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will take place immediately following the service at Cedar Lawn Memorial Park, 5070 Cove Road, Roanoke, VA 24017.
Following the burial there will be a reception at Northview United Methodist Church.
Dee, rest in peace. I love you. Your twin brother.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to www.simpsonfuneral.com
Simpson Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
