Eboné Lynne-Chereese Copeland, 40. Our beloved daughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, friend, and dynamic educator took her last breath while surrounded by family on October 2nd, 2020. Eboné was known for her caring demeanor; her last deed even saved the lives of two others by donating her organs through the Gift of Life Michigan Organ and Tissue Donation Program. She is survived by her parents: Katherine E. Drumright and Steven R. Copeland of Ypsilanti, MI; siblings: Brandon Copeland, William S. Copeland, Mark D. Floyd Sr., Kathryn R. Drumright of Ypsilanti, MI, Dennejah C. Drumright of Jackson, MI and Marquise C. Thomas of St. Louis, MO; nieces and nephews: Maya, Jordan, Mark, Kali, Lonzo and Lizzie, to which she was lovingly known as Auntie E. This list continues as Eboné was loved by many aunts, uncles, cousins and students.

Eboné was born in Superior Township, Michigan on October 30, 1979. As her mother and father’s first-born, she often reminisced with her siblings on how lovely her life was as an only child. Although she was the first, Eboné was surrounded by a host of protective cousins and was known to be selective and quiet, yet very kind to others.

As her family grew, Eboné eventually became the eldest of 7 children; and she took being the big sister very seriously. This was a role she didn’t feel she had a choice in taking on but embraced because of her capacity to love and care. Eboné became the reliable go-to person for her younger siblings and played a key role in their upbringing; especially the youngest 4 siblings who she treated as her own children. She would joke about missing out on her fun years as a teen but, in the same breath, express how much she loved each and every one of her siblings.

Eboné grew up in Ann Arbor, MI where she attended the public schools. Throughout high school, she primarily attended Roberto Clemente Development School, which she often described as the place where she found her voice, her identity and her mission moving forward. She was inspired by Principal Joseph (Joe) Dulin, his staff, and the methods implemented that made Roberto feel like family-- a home away from home; carrying with her the many lessons learned long after her departure. Eboné was also incredibly creative and a naturally gifted artist. She loved to draw portraits of celebrities and family members, and at one point was inspired by a teacher to take her drawings from paper and apply them to the computer. That following year after graduating from Pioneer High School in 1997, she attended her first year of college at the Atlanta Institute of Arts, majoring in Graphic Arts.

Upon her return to Michigan, she accepted a job with Washtenaw Community College, where her love for the field of technology grew even more. Eboné would get first pick at WCC’s discounted tech sales just to bring home numerous computers. Some were used and most others were taken apart and put back together, her way of teaching herself how to build computers. She soon became the go-to person for questions and concerns of any kind when it came rehabilitating old devices and navigating new ones. Eboné continued to create art in every sense; be it helping friends with logos, families with obituaries or using her self-taught braiding skills to create the most unique styles for her sisters and family friends.

Eboné eventually found her way back to Ann Arbor Public Schools as the Book Depository Administrative Assistant at Huron High School. Unable to secure an interview as Eboné, she placed Lynne on her resume and application and received her first call back. This is where she began to hone her skills as not only an innovator within her field but a mentor and mother/auntie figure to students. Particularly, she noticed a void in the young people that gravitated toward her and she naturally began to fill it.

She lent encouraging, kind words and advocacy for kids in need, while excelling at her job. Eboné used her intellect and creative talents to create dozens of templates that were used by the district in numerous forms. Eboné was promoted to Skyline where she stayed briefly before receiving another promotion and moving to Pioneer to be the Master Scheduler. It was in that school and that position that she blossomed into the force she is now.

Eboné mastered the district’s PowerSchool technology while being the design and logistics force behind several of Pioneer’s programs. She also held an elected position as the Ann Arbor Education Association/Office Professional President, overseeing several job-saving and wage-increasing contract negotiations. Of all things, her biggest and most prized contribution would be the Pioneer Black Student Union. Because of the lack of African American representation amongst the Pioneer High School staff, students were drawn to Eboné, referring to her as “Ms. Cope” and often talked of feeling a sense of comfort from being around her. One day, two African American female students came to her and asked if she would be an advisor for their group, the BSU. What started with two kids grew to 200 in just a few years.

That was not without push back. Being that the faculty is mostly white, the staff at Pioneer was not welcoming of a Black positive student group. They struggled to understand and outright rejected what unapologetic Blackness was, choosing to see it as threatening. Eboné did not let the lack of staff or administrative support and hostile work environment deter her as she pushed forward and continued to support the kids. She created programs in the community using resources such as the NAACP, Community Action Network Ann Arbor, and several community members. She was able to help broker partnerships that led to reading and literacy programs for Black and Latino kids. Her “Read and Represent” program selected positive books from Black and Latinx authors to be read by BSU and LSU (Latinx Student Union) high schoolers to elementary students of similar cultural backgrounds. She also helped create the student-led “Each One Reach One” program that paired high achieving, upperclassmen BSU students with struggling lowerclassmen students to help keep them on the path to graduation. Her thought was if we begin the work early, we can increase the graduation rate by never allowing at-risk students to get behind. This program was meant to enable the normally invisible Black and Latinx students to give back to their communities and build their high school portfolio for the next level.

She helped build the students up and positioned them for better futures while creating a culture of giving back and empathy. This resulted in over 95% (19% above district average) graduation rates for BSU students and a 100% (24% above district average) graduation rate for BSU students who were at least 3-year members. She was also responsible for the creation of the BSU logo. From her creative vision came one of the most powerful symbols that this county has seen and her students took much pride in the BSU logo that was donned across their chest. They wore their BSU clothing with their heads high and no longer felt invisible. They were seen.

This is the strong legacy that Eboné has left us with. Eboné could’ve taken her talents to the highest bidder and would have been handsomely compensated. She instead chose to use her talents to further her people and community, by lending her creative talents to families as they went through their toughest and most vulnerable moments. Eboné lived a full and selfless life, constantly encouraging those around her to be the better version of themselves. That child from 2749 Adrienne Drive grew into a Protector, Educator, Nurturer, and Influential Figure. Always reminding us to love unconditionally and give unselfishly.

This is our Eboné. We love you.

The Gathering will be public for family and friends to rotate through from 11am to 12pm. We can have up to 100 people in attendance for the Celebration of Life service at 12pm. Please plan accordingly as the services will be held outside; face masks are required and social distancing is encouraged.

Nie Funeral Home Visitor Guidelines:

If you feel sick, have cold or flu like symptoms and/or have a fever, please go back home

Cover Face and Wear a Mask when in the building

We can have up to 100 people outdoors at one time for the services on Saturday, October 17, 2020

Please avoid personal contact like shaking hands or hugging, please extend verbal salutations

Please cover your mouth and nose if you cough or sneeze with your elbow or a tissue, please dispose of the tissue immediately

Please wash your hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds under running water

Please avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth