Janet G. Copenhaver

Janet Gaynell Copenhaver, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend went home to meet her Heavenly Father on Feb. 22, 2024. Janet was born Jan. 23, 1936 in Oakdale, Louisiana to Rev. Dr. Jeff Davis and Marie Catherine Brown.  She moved from Sabinal to Uvalde her senior year at age 16 and graduated at the top of her class.  She met her beloved husband, Bob, on a blind date in 1952.  They were married January 17^th 1953.  In their 69 years together, they raised 5 children and were thought of as adoptive parents by a multitude of their children’s friends. They were blessed with 13 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and again multiple “adopted” grand- and great grandkids. 

God, church and family were her top three priorities. Janet was active in the Women’s Missionary Union, church choir, taught Sunday School and was Baptist Temple Church’s secretary for over 4 decades. She was involved in mission work along side her husband.  After retiring from Baptist Temple, she spent her time volunteering at the Herby Ham Adult Activity Center and sewing quilts for cancer patients.   

She was also a professional seamstress and could make anything from Barbie clothes to sequined evening gowns and costumes worn by local celebrities. Her seamstress skills found their way to her new passion, counted cross-stitch, which can be found in many homes in Uvalde and around the country as she became a commissioned artist. She was featured in a Uvalde Leader News article about her Uvalde Opera House piece. Her greatest joy was in creating cross-stitch portraits of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

She was a sports fan extraordinaire. She and Bob attended every school sporting event their children participated in, to include the “adopted” children and grandchildren’s events.  When there were no longer school sporting events to attend, her loyalty turned to the San Antonio Spurs.  She loved talking to her children on the phone… unless the Spurs were playing.  

Janet was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Bob, infant son Robert Mark Copenhaver, sons Michael Lynn and Robert Jeff Copenhaver, sister Mildred Brown, brother Harold Brown, grandson Dustin Michael Fox, and daughter-in-law Gay (Landon) Copenhaver. 

She is survived by her son Larry (& Susan) Copenhaver of Conway, Arkansas; daughters Jan (& Dean) Fox of Helotes, TX, and Laurie (& John) Allen of Crestview, FL; sister Peggy Bean of San Antonio, TX, brother David (& Robyn) Brown of Dallas, Tx; and her pride and joy: 12 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

She arrived in heaven on Feb. 22^nd, just in time to celebrate Bob’s birthday on the 23^rd, Mike’s on the 25^th, and most likely made them pancakes with chocolate syrup for breakfast and her famous strawberry cake, a much sought-after family favorite. 

When we arrive in heaven you can be assured that Janet will be in the heavenly choir greeting you at the gate, possibly sewing new garments for the angels and she might even be teaching an angelic cross-stitching class. She will also be bending God’s ear on the Spurs next move to improve their winning season; and offering her insight into future player trade possibilities.