Jeanette would like to let you know that her work here is done. She received a call for an appointment from which she will not be returning. This appointment comes with a huge sign-on bonus, a reunion with family and friends she has not seen in a long time. Her mission takes her to a wonderful place where she will be gardening and painting to her heart's content.

Mildred Jeanette Cope, 73, beloved wife of Thomas F. Cope, passed away at 1:30am on December 28, 2017, surrounded by her family after a short illness at Palmetto Health Tuomey.

Born on August 29, 1944 in Borden, SC, she was a daughter of the late Mildred A. Cato Dowdrick and the late Carson E. Cato. She was educated in the schools of Sumter County. Throughout her work career, Jeanette was employed by Big Jim's Restaurant, Red and White Grocery Store, Shaw AFB Commissary, and she was retired from Shaw AFB Civilian Personnel.

She leaves to cherish her memories: her husband of 50 years, Tom of Borden, SC; her five children, Suzanne Sims of Borden, SC; Sandra Monroe (Josh) of Sumter, SC; Allen Moore (Dunia) of Gulf Port, MS; Brian Cope of Edisto Island, SC; and Dawn Cope McElveen of Charleston, SC; a brother, Marion Cato (Alice) and a sister, Barbara Cook (Carey) all of Borden, SC; 13 grandchildren, Max Sims, Shannon East, Elizabeth Moore, Joshua Walter, Josiah Walter, Benjamin Monroe, Allen-Michel Moore, Deanna Moore, Diego Moore, Mia Moore, Carson Moore, Madalyn McElveen and Sullivan McElveen; and three great-grandchildren.

Jeanette was preceded in death by her parents; her maternal grandparents, Leroy and Lillian McLeod; her paternal grandparents, Marion W. and Minnie Cato; a brother, Carl E. Cato, and her first husband, Howard L. Moore.

A celebration of Jeanette's life will be held at 3pm Monday, January 1, 2018, in the Elmore-Canon Stephens Funeral Home chapel, 515 Miller Road, Sumter SC. The family will be receiving friends at other times at the home, 5200 Borden Road, Rembert, SC.

Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements.