Eva Mae Stooksberry Wise was born on September 10, 1927, to John Robert Stooksberry and Clara Mae Haddock in Collinwood, Tennessee. She died at the age of 96, peacefully, on October 8, 2023, at Boyd Cottages in Waynesboro, Tennessee. Eva lost her father when she was 7 years old, leaving her mother Clara (“Big Granny”) to raise four young children in Waynesboro. Eva’s grandmother, Polly Horton Stooksberry, moved in with the young family to help raise the children during the 1940’s. She was affectionately called “Miss Eva” by friends and had three brothers who predeceased her: Harvel Marshall Stooksberry, James English Stooksberry, and Theda Stooksberry. In December 1945, Eva married James Thomas “Tommy” Copous while he was home in Waynesboro on leave. They had two sons, James Robert Copous and David Harvel Copous. In 1963, she moved to Texas to help provide better opportunities for her sons. In April 2023, she lost her 96-year-old husband, George James “Jimmy” Wise. Jimmy and Eva married in Houston, Texas, on March 6, 1971. When not working they enjoyed their fishing boat, motorcycle trips through the countryside, gardening and helping to raise grandchildren. In 1990, they retired and moved back to Waynesboro. In retirement, Eva was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and Green River Baptist Church. Well into her 80s she devoted time to “visit the old people” and deliver meals. Being a mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and aunt was her true calling. She was a lady with kind and encouraging words for all.
Eva is predeceased by her parents, brothers, husband, son David and grandson Marty.
Eva is survived by her son Robert Copous and wife Faye, daughter-in-law Charlotte Copous,, brother-in-law Billy “BJ” Copous, sister-in-law Golda Jo Wise-Davis, brothers-in-law Russell (Wendy) and Don Wise (Diane).
She is further survived by all who called her “Grandmother:” John Robert Copous, Angela Ruth Copous, Frank Joseph Copous, Marshall Anthony Copous, Steven Corey Stooksberry, Maegan Stooksberry Cox, Dwayne Odom, Christan Nicole Smith, Holden Copous, Preston Copous, Allison Copous, Jessica Copous, Kameron Yttrie, Brendan Fleming, Cooper Smith, and Miles Smith.
It is with great appreciation the family extends a heartfelt thank you to the team at Tennessee Home Health for their care over the last few years and the team at Boyd Cottages for the care Eva received the past seven months. Thank you for the grace and dignity you provide to loved ones. Your passion makes a difference.
Viewing was at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 14, 2023, at Shackelford Funeral Home, 104 Hill Street, Waynesboro. The service followed at 1:45 p.m. with the Rev. Kerry Franks, Pastor of Green River Baptist Church, officiating. Interment followed at Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
