Obituary of Minnie "Dolly" Copenhaver

Minnie Lee Sult Copenhaver

January 19, 1927 to May 9, 2017

Minnie S. “Dolly” Copenhaver, age 90, passed away on Tuesday, May 9, 2017 at Wythe County Community Hospital following a long illness surrounded by her loving family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Garland Forrest Copenhaver, Jr., mother, Ruth Virginia Six Sult, father, Charles William Sult, brothers, William Fredrick Sult and Elbert Joseph Sult, sisters, Katherine Sult and Gladys Virginia Sult. A lifelong resident of Wythe County Mrs. Copenhaver worked at Intermountain Telephone Co. and Crest 5&10 for many years where she always enjoyed her co-workers and customers so much.  She retired from the Spiller Elementary School Cafeteria in 1989 where she loved the hundreds of children she served each day. She was a lifetime member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and a member of the Wythe County Rescue Squad Women’s Auxiliary.

Mom was blessed to have had two loving and compassionate caregivers for the last 3 years, Sheila Huff and Sylvia Shinault. The family will be forever grateful. Sheila shared her thoughts, “...I will be forever grateful for my time with my sweet Dolly. She was such an inspiration.  Her love of life was a true blessing to be a part of and her humor was so sweet she was one in a million. Minnie “Dolly” Copenhaver was one of the gentlest and kindest souls that God placed on this Earth. She has been a gift to all of us who had the great blessing to be loved by her.  Dolly loved life and her family, and her faith was always at the forefront of everything she did. She was so grateful to anyone who showed her kindness or lent a helping hand.” 

Heaven has most assuredly gained a very special angel this day.  Even at the end she never failed to say “thank you.” She is survived by her three devoted sons and daughters-in-law, Danny Lee & Becky Copenhaver of Wilmington NC, Roger Dale & Susan Copenhaver of Yorktown VA, Dr. Richard Garland & Sandy Copenhaver of Wytheville VA; grandchildren, Brian Ross Copenhaver, Andrew Payne Copenhaver of Wilmington NC, Anna Kathryn & Maj. Ian Claxton of Aberdeen Proving Ground MD, Aaron Blake Copenhaver of Midlothian VA.; great grandchildren, Robert Oliver Claxton, Thomas John Claxton, Cordelia Grace Claxton all of Aberdeen Proving Grounds MD.; brother and sister-in-law, Charles Leon & Shirlee Sult of Vinton VA; sisters and brother-in-law, Audrey Jones, Juanita & H.L. Smith both of Wytheville VA.

Funeral service will be held 2 P.M. Friday, May 12, 2017 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church conducted by Pastor Colleen Montgomery, with interment to follow at Rosewood Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends Thursday, May 11, 2017 at Grubb Funeral Home from 6 P.M. to 8 P.M. or at her residence at any time. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 405 W. Main St., Wytheville VA 24382 or the Wythe County Rescue Squad, 195 W Spring St, Wytheville, VA 24382.

Grubb Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.