Lillie Marie Baysmore

Lillie Marie Copeland Baysmore, transitioned to be with the Lord on Saturday, June 5, 2021 at Sentara Hospice House, Virginia Beach, Virginia, with family by her bedside. She was born on October 17, 1929 in Portsmouth, Virginia by a Mid-wife, to the late Rev. Joseph H. Copeland and Ethel Cheeks Copeland.

Lillie was called “Lillie Marie” by many of her family members and friends. As a child her father, Rev. Copeland gave her the nick-name “Onion” because of her slick curly hair. Lillie was the seventh child of ten children.  She grew up in a loving and caring family environment. Lillie was introduced to the Lord at an early age and accepted Christ at St. John Baptist Church, Portsmouth, Virginia.  Lillie was educated in the Portsmouth Public School System.

Lillie met “The Love of her Life” James Albert Baysmore, Sr. It was love at first sight. They married and became a union. From this union they had seven children.

With James being a native of Whaleyville, Virginia they decided to go there and build their home. Lillie was very happy living in the “Country”.  She immediately joined the St. Mary’s Holiness Church, down the road from her home.  Lillie served as the Church Secretary and was a Deaconess of St. Mary’s Deaconess Board.  She was also a member of the Choir.  Church was an important part of Lillie’s life and she would travel with her husband James to all of the local Churches in the area and in North Carolina.  She was always accompanying her husband to his many solo engagements.  She was indeed a devoted wife and mother.  She was quiet, soft-spoken, and a mild-mannered person.  She knew everyone in the community and they knew her as the lady with the beautiful smile.  She was also known for her great cooking and homemade rolls. She loved and enjoyed traveling and being with family and friends. 

Lillie retired as a Lab Tech with 25 years of service at Obici Hospital, Suffolk, Virginia. She was a dedicated worker and everyone there knew her as “Ms. Lillie”.  After the death of her husband, of 53 years of marriage, Lillie moved back to the “City” – Chesapeake, Virginia and united with her family Church, Zion Bethel UCC.  She served on the Zion Bethel Deaconess Board and was a member of Zion Bethel Social Service Ministry.

Lillie was preceded in death by her parents, Rev. Joseph H. and Ethel Copeland; her husband, James Albert Baysmore, Sr.; two sons, James A. Baysmore, Jr., and Joseph H. Baysmore; one daughter, Grenada Baysmore Johnson; three brothers, Rev. Joseph Copeland; Andrew Copeland, and Rev. Edward Copeland; five sisters, Vernice Morgan, Elizabeth Eden, Virginia Mills Ellis, Aretta Dunham, and Florence Sawyer; and son-in-law, Frederick Watson; and daughter-in-law, Diane Baysmore.

Lillie Marie Copeland Baysmore, leaves cherished memories with her family: two sons, Theodore Baysmore (Tommie) of Grand Prairie, Texas; and Marvin N. Baysmore of Riverdale, Georgia; two daughters, Alfredia B. Watson of Norfolk, Virginia; and Karen B. Wilson (Homer) of Suffolk, Virginia. Two daughters-in-law, Avis Baysmore of Brooklyn, New York, and Priscilla Baysmore of Portsmouth, Virginia; one step-daughter, Theresa Goodman of Suffolk, Virginia; one sister, Annie Jones (Eugene) of Portsmouth, Virginia; two sisters-in law, Mary Copeland of Lawton, Oklahoma and Lillian Copeland of Portsmouth, Virginia; and a multitude of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends.