Juanita Copeland Elmore, age 85, of Ethelsville, AL passed away June 4, 2022 at her residence. Graveside services will be 2:00 pm Wednesday, June 8, 2022 at Pine Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Ethelsville with Bro. Gene Dawkins and Bro. Jamie Cummings officiating and Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. Visitation will follow the service in the Pine Grove Baptist Church Fellowship Hall.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Grady Ray Elmore; her parents, Henry Copeland and Mildred Barrett Copeland; infant son, Keith Elmore and daughters-in-law, Debbie Mason Elmore and Barbara Reeves Elmore.
Survivors include her sons, Steve Elmore (Jonette) of Tuscaloosa, Mike Elmore (Scarlette) of Pine Grove and Mark Elmore of Pine Grove; five grandchildren, Matthew Elmore (Trina), Brooke Elmore Owens (Albert), Chase Elmore (Kate), Melissa Elmore Jackson (Josh) and Jody Mason (Beth) and eight great-grandchildren, Austale Owens, J. J. Owens, Lena Elmore, Cooper Elmore, Ella Rae Owens, Maggie Elmore, Eliza Jackson and Grady Elmore.
Nita was born January 5, 1937 in Winfield, Alabama. She was a retired office manager for Stevens Fashions in Carrollton. She was better known as
Bigmama to all she met. To know Bigmama was to know selfless love and care. She met the love of her life at age 13 and the love story that followed was one that will have an impact for generations to come. They eloped in high school and were married over 60 years at Grady Ray's death.
She spent her life raising her children, caring for her parents, giving her grandchildren (and all of their friends) summers and Christmases they'll never forget and loving and accepting all that crossed her path. To her death, she spent her time worrying about other's needs over her own and praying for their needs daily when she was unable to meet those needs physically any longer. There is no doubt when she drew her last breath on this earth her next was with her heavenly Father.
The deep ache and void left by her physical absence will never be filled, but we will carry on this family the way Bigmama would want us to . . . with love, unity, tradition and a light for Jesus . . . until we all meet again.
Pallbearers will be her grandsons and great-grandsons, Matthew Elmore, Chase Elmore, Albert Owens, Josh Jackson, Austale Owens and J. J. Owens.
Honorary Pallbearers are Ray Shaw, Cody Bowles, Josh Bowles, Donnie Bowles, Heath Forrester, James Forrester and Mike Britt.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to Pine Grove Baptist Church, 4210 Pine Grove Road, Ethelsville, AL 35461.