On June 2, 2026, (Gloria) Yvonne Copeland Ward went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Born in Chowan County in 1934, Yvonne was the eldest daughter of the late Merrill Elisha and Kines Dail Copeland. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband of 56 years, Radolph Chappell Ward; their infant daughter, Hannah Rae Ward; her daughter-in-law, Teresa Blanchard Ward; and her older brother, Elwood Copeland of Elizabeth City, NC.

Yvonne is survived by her children: Gwendolyn Overman (Leonard Jr.) of Tyner, NC; Cindy Evans (Johnny) of Merry Hill, NC; Harry Ward of Tyner, NC; and Karen Lachapelle (Robert III) of Tarboro, NC; Additionally, are her surviving grandchildren: Hannah Koch (Jeff), Courtney Byrum (Israel), Leonard (Trey) Overman III (Ashley), Jennifer Baldwin (Adam), Leah Craddock (Jonathan), Micah Lynch (Chad), Rachel Melton (Josh), Sarah Ward, Robert (Chap) Lachapelle IV, and Copeland Lachapelle (Carly), including 16 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandson.

Yvonne is survived by three siblings: Margaret Spivey (Thomas) of Newport News, VA; Durwood Copeland (Rhonda) of Tyner, NC; and Carole Chappell (Bill) of Belvidere, NC; as well as her sister-in-law, Sara Lou Copeland of Elizabeth City, NC, and numerous nieces and nephews.

First and foremost, Yvonne was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She was absolutely dedicated to taking care of her family. She knew how to take a little and make a lot, always leaning on the Lord to ‘establish the work of her hands’ (Psalm 90:17). For 92 years, those hands were abundantly fruitful, and many benefitted from her loving care.

Yvonne was quick-witted and naturally humorous. She could always make you laugh.

Yvonne was a lifelong member of Happy Home Pentecostal Holiness Church in Tyner, NC. She was very active in various ministries, such as teaching Sunday School, singing in the Church Choir, participating in Women’s Auxiliary and the Young-At-Heart Group. Over the years, Yvonne’s Sweet Potato Cake and Coconut Cake became locally famous and highly sought-after during church or family events.

After graduating from Chowan High School in 1952, Yvonne began working at Chowan Hospital where she retired after many decades of service as an operating room technician. During retirement, she served as a Meals-on-Wheels volunteer for the Albemarle Commission Area on Aging. At around the age of 78, she returned to Chowan Hospital as a part-time employee cleaning medical instruments until Covid forced her to stop work. Post-covid, she returned to Chowan Hospital as a volunteer for a third stint of service. Known as “MeMaw” or “Ms. Evie” to many at Chowan Hospital, she truly loved her work family as her own. She often said, “It’s not a job. It’s a service.”

Whether you knew her as Mama, Mrs. Yvonne, Aunt Yvonne, Grandma, Grandma Evie, Ward, Maw, or simply Friend-- you knew she was a special lady and that she loved you.

Her favorite Bible verse was Psalm 19:14. “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”

The family will receive visitors at her residence. Also, a special thanks to those who had a hand in Yvonne’s care, including her caregiver, Freida Doubts.

Pallbearers are; Leonard (Trey) Overman III, Robert (Chap) Lachapelle IV, Copeland Lachapelle, Evan Byrum, Hunter Lynch, Mark Copeland, Paul Copeland, Chris Chappell, Andy Spivey, and Ivey Ward. A Celebration of Life will be held at Happy Home PH Church, 534 Happy Home Road, Tyner, NC on Monday, June, 8th, 2026 at 11:00 AM, and officiated by Reverend Walter Byrum. Burial immediately following at Ballard’s Bridge Baptist Church Cemetery in Tyner, NC.

Miller & Van Essendelft Funeral Home, 735 Virginia Road, Edenton, NC is assisting the Ward family with arrangements and online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com