Rhoda Carolyn Copus, 75, lifetime resident of Atlanta, died June 14,2009, in the loving care of the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Atlanta, GA. Rhoda was born September 8, 1933, the only child of Earl and Ethel Copus. Even as a young child, Rhoda exhibited the traits of intellectual curiosity, loyalty, and a keen sense of adventure that later in life would result in attracting an enthusiastic circle - of friends of all ages and walks of life. As a young adult, after extensive training, she set up her own Dental Lab business, specializing in providing children's braces for many dental practices in Atlanta. After her retirement she owned and managed "Rhoda's Roost," a thrift shop in Cabbagetown. Later, she managed the St. Philip's Episcopal Cathedral Thrift House in Buckhead. Although Rhoda did not have children of her own, she mentored untold numbers of young people, encouraging them to pursue education and/or other paths to better their lives. Her hobbies included gardening, history, reading and antiquing. Her home and gardens highlighted her artistic talents with her serious and quirky collections of glassware, paintings, books, etc. Rhoda was an active member of the Church of The Holy Comforter, a mission church of the Episcopal diocese of Atlanta, serving people with mental and physical disabilities. She served for several years as a member of the vestry, as church treasurer, and served on various church committees. Upon hearing the news of her illness, friends from all eras of her life and work came to her bedside, providing her loving support with their stories, kind words of appreciation and encouragement. Typical of Rhoda's spirit, even as her own life was ending she was still concerned for the welfare of all those around her. Althou gh she does not leave a
traditional family, she leaves an untold number of friends who will never forget her. A memorial service for Rhoda will be held at the Church of The Holy Comforter at 11:00 am Saturday morning, June 20. In lieu of flowers, her friends request that donations be made to the Church of The Holy Comforter for the work of the Friendship Center, a church sponsored program that throughout each week provides spiritual and physical support, education, meals and art activities for over 120 individuals with mental and physical disabilities. A. S. Turner & Sons
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