Linda Gale Copen, 77, of Elizabeth, West Virginia, passed away July 29, 2024.

Born June 9, 1947, in Parkersburg, she was the third of five children born to the late Paul Ford and Vallie Belle White. She graduated from Parkersburg High School in 1965 – the largest graduating class of the school (as she would proudly recall) and secured employment performing administrative services for a local furniture company. It was during the summer of 1968 she met the man with whom she would spend the rest of her life, Donald Copen. The two married on August 15, 1969. Linda worked as the Elizabeth Elementary School secretary before leaving in 1972 to welcome the first of two children – finally becoming a mother, a life-defining role that she cherished.

In the process of raising her own children, Linda inadvertently became a mom to so many through the various youth initiatives in which she became involved. She was a classroom mom, managing programs such as the Elizabeth Elementary Christmas country store, designing themes for and decorating school dances, creating a yearbook for students completing their final year of elementary school and so much more. She was a Brownie troop leader and later a 4-H group leader where she instilled a passion for the outdoors and environment through the West Virginia Youth Conservation program. For approximately 15 years she led the Newark Shining Stars – engaging and guiding a number of Wirt County youth, directing massive beautification projects like the painting of the support wall on Elizabeth Hill, overseeing various litter projects including a miles-long litter pickup along Newark Road that would earn her 4-H club the Governors Beautification Award in 1986. Linda was a stalwart at 4-H Camp participating as a camp counselor and serving as the chaperone for girls staying in her beloved Cabin 2 – later renamed CherMiDelSen. Her stewardship of the 4-H club and advisement of "her kids" continued for years – long after her own children aged out of the program.

In addition to supporting youth programs, Linda was a member of the Elizabeth Church of Christ. Faith was the cornerstone of Linda's life as she pursued the Lord's word and encouraged others to come to Him.

Throughout her life, Linda was devoted to nature – feeding the various woodland creatures that visited her home, planting trees, studying and documenting various wildflowers that grow in the region and engaging in one of her favorite past times – fishing. She adopted and cared for more fur babies than can be counted, loving and nurturing each one.

Linda spent her final days under the care of an amazing team at Worthington Healthcare Center and Housecalls Hospice. The family is beyond grateful for the compassion, diligence and empathy provided by everyone. They also want to thank Dr. Pitliya and the ACU team at Camden Clark Medical Center for providing the family the gift of more time together.

She will be dearly missed by her husband of 54 years Donald, daughters Penny (Jeff) Fender and Angela (Len White) Copen as well as her fur babies Jennie and Trooper, her grandson Eli Fender, siblings Janet Penn, Peggy (Don) Shears and Paulette (Tom) Zacher and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and more.

In addition to both her parents she is preceded in death by her brother James White.

A celebration of Linda's life will take place Sunday, August 11, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. at Matheny Whited Funeral Home in Elizabeth. The family will receive visitors from 1 to 3 p.m., and asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her name to either the Parkersburg Humane Society (https://www.hsop.org/directed-giving), or to the WV Youth Environment Program by contacting Annette Hoskins at 304-414-9759 or Annette.l.hoskins@wv.gov. To help carry Linda's legacy forward, please support your local 4-H groups and encourage kids to join a club and lend a hand in their community