Dorothea Ruthe Copen Darby, of Bartlett, TN, entered Heaven September 25, 2023 and reunited with her husband of more than 50 years, Richard Darby . Dorothea died peacefully in her home with her children by her side. She was born July 11, 1940 in Brookville, PA to Charles and Ethel Copen. She was a devoted sister to Kenneth Copen, Sr (Helen) of Paragould, AR and Donald Copen (deceased) of Bartlett, TN.  Dorothea graduated from McDowell High School, Class of 1958 in Erie, PA.  She then completed paralegal classes through Penn State University.   After a two year courtship, Dorothea and Richard (Dick) were married in June 1961 and had sons Richard Lane Darby, Jr of Newnan, GA, Jeffrey Todd Darby (Jeanne) of Hoover, AL, and daughter Deborah Darby Kennedy of Batesville, AR.  Dick and Dorothea raised their children in Saegertown, PA, where Dorothea worked as a secretary for the Philosophy and Religious Studies Department at Allegheny College, Meadville, PA.  The couple transferred to Bartlett where Dorothea became the owner of Bartlett Professional Secretarial Service for more than 20 years. She was a member of the National Association of Executive Suites of America and was an early board member of the National Association of Secretarial Services.  She became involved with the Bartlett community as a member of the Bartlett Area Chamber of Commerce, the Bartlett Station Commission and Leadership Bartlett.  She stated that she thoroughly enjoyed and would highly recommend the Citizen's Police Academy. Dorothea and Dick were avid supporters of the Bartlett Performing Arts and Conference Center (BPACC) from its inception.

An active member of Bartlett United Methodist for more than 41 years, Dorothea cherished friendships made in the Progressive Sunday School Class and as a Chancel Choir member and Bell Choir member.  A gifted musician, Dorothea shared her talent playing piano for the children's choir 3-5 year olds and teaching the age old songs such as Jesus Loves Me, Zacheus, and Deep and Wide to name only a few.  She played for Wednesday noon communion services, and Wednesday evening Bible study, as well as Thursday service at Wesley Stage Park and for friends and family who gathered in her home.  Among Dorothea's greatest joys was spending time with and supporting the lives of her accomplished grandchildren and great-grandchildren; Morgan Darby Cash (Mike) of Houston, TX with Sterling and Sawyer, Sarah Tripp Lay (James) of Batesville, AR with Nathanial, Anastacia Darby (Miles Aghajanian) of Austin, Tx with Charles, Hayden Darby (McKenzie) of Charlotte, NC with Hayes, Kaitlyn Grigsby (Steven) of Batesville, AR with Parker and Riley, Cameron Darby (Abby) of Covington, LA with Micah, Sloane and Braxton, Daniel Tripp of Bono, AR, George Darby Sougeron of Hoover, AL and Patrick Darby of Hoover, AL. Dorothea also enjoyed her time with her nephew Charles Kenneth Copen III (Shonda) with Kinley of Thorsby, AL, and Cathy Copen Moore (Bill) of Paragould AR. The children of her niece are Richard Griffith (Jessi) with Bridges and Cove of Hamburg, AR, and Brian Griffith (Jessica) of Paragould, AR.

The family will receive guests Friday evening, September 29 from 6-8 p.m. in the sanctuary of Bartlett United Methodist Church.  A Celebration of Life will be held at Bartlett United Methodist Church, at 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 30.  Burial will follow in the Bartlett-Ellendale Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to the Bartlett United Methodist Church Music Department (5676 Stage Rd, Bartlett, TN 38134)