Kimberly Copeland

Kimberly Carol Copeland, 66, of Crystal Lake, Illinois, passed away unexpectedly on December 29th, 2024. She was born on May 26th, 1958, in Elgin, Illinois, to the late Harry Murval and Carol (nee Souza) Smith.

Kim attended Crystal Lake Central High School, Class of 1976, where she played tennis and was a varsity cheerleader. She attended Illinois College in Jacksonville, Illinois, where she played tennis and graduated as an English major. Kim went on to earn her master’s degree at Northern Illinois University.

Kim was a teacher and librarian at Lundahl Middle School in Crystal Lake. She was one of the popular teachers you knew you were lucky to have. No matter what kind of student you were, Kim would care about you and teach you a thing or two along the way. Everything Kim did in school was about the kids. She believed that all learning must be purposeful, lifelong, and life-affirming. Her teaching met the needs of all students, and her influence was impactful.

Kim enjoyed spending time with her family, especially birthdays and holidays. She took pride in finding you the perfect gift and wanted to make your day memorable. She was the best cook and baker, and her desserts never lasted long when placed on the counter. She was a big U of I basketball fan and always watched the games when they were on. She enjoyed watching tennis, especially Wimbledon. She was an avid reader and enjoyed shows and movies with a good storyline. She helped guide her family with sound advice and wanted to ensure they looked at a situation from all sides. Kim liked to spend time with her close friends and always brightened their day. She saw the humor in all things absurd and had a laugh everyone recognized, especially when she got the giggles.

Kim was blessed with five grandchildren, which were her pride and joy. The best part of her day was spending time with them or talking to them via FaceTime or phone. Whether around her kitchen table, playing school in the basement, on the phone, or watching them participate in sports, she made sure she divided her attention equally. All five grandchildren were a source of Kim’s endless love and at the heart of all she did.

Kim is survived by her two children, Scott (Jen Wilcoxen) Copeland and Stacy (Mark) Kokot; her grandchildren, Brady and Hadley Copeland, and Luke, Gavin and Brielle Kokot; her sister-in-law, Karen Smith; her niece Emily Bradley; and many family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry Murval and Carol (nee Souza) Smith, and her brother, Bradley Smith.

To say Kim will be missed would be an understatement. She was a beacon of light to all who knew her, and her impact on this world will last forever. She wasn’t just Kimberly Carol Copeland; she was Mom.

Memorial visitation will be Saturday, January 11th, 2025, from 3 PM to 7 PM at Davenport Family Funeral Home, 419 E. Terra Cotta Ave. Crystal Lake, IL 60014. Visitation will resume on Sunday, January 12th, at the funeral home from 10:30 AM until the memorial service at 11:30 AM. The interment will be private.