Mary Lou Longshore Wicker Copeland, 96, died February 19, 2023, at Martha Franks Retirement Community in Laurens, SC.

Born March 5, 1927, in Newberry County, Mary Lou was the daughter of the late Bob and Virgin Mary Longshore.

She graduated from Bush River High School in 1944. She was a skilled seamstress who also loved cake decorating and cooking. Her claim to fame was her excellent fried chicken. She retired after 22 years as a supervisor at Whitten Center.

Mary Lou was most recently a member of First Baptist Church of Laurens and enjoyed her time at Martha Franks singing with the Martha Franks Singers, playing cards, and visiting friends.

Surviving are her son, Wayne (Rosemary) Wicker; grandchildren, Dr. Erika (Brian) Clark and Lt. Col. Robert (Kaitlin) Wicker; brother, Thomas (Carol) Longshore; sisters, Media Timmerman and Ann Mazzuca; and seven great-grandchildren, Stella, Emerson, George, and Lawton Clark, and Collin, Legare, and Adley Wicker.

She is predeceased by her husbands, Robert Wicker and Harold Copeland; sons, Keith and Paul Wicker; brothers, James Robert Longshore and Joe Wesson; and sisters, Carrie Lee Mahoney and Frances Longshore.

Funeral Services will be held 2:00 PM, Saturday, February 24, 2024, at Martha Franks Retirement Community Chapel, 1 Martha Franks Drive, Laurens, SC, 29360. Services will be officiated by the Reverend Adair Rogers and Reverend Joey Estes.

Interment will follow the service at 4:00 PM at Newberry Memorial Gardens.

The family will gather for a time of visitation, Saturday, February 24, 2024, from 12:30PM, until the hour of service, at Martha Franks Retirement Community Chapel.

The family will also be at the home of Wayne Wicker, 14448 Highway 76 W, Hickory Tavern.

In lieu of flowers, memorials and donations may be made to: Martha Franks Retirement Community, 1 Martha Franks Drive, Laurens, SC, 29360.

Memories and condolences can be left here on Ms. Copeland's tribute wall.

Whitaker Funeral Home is honored to serve the Wicker family.