Ruth Copeland Young

Ruth Copeland Young of Atlanta, Georgia, passed away peacefully on July 11, 2026, surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Ruth was born in Arab, Alabama, in 1935. She was the fourth of six children, two boys and four girls. The children's parents, Mamma Jimmie and Papa Haden Copeland, raised them with a steady hand emphasizing devotion to God, pursuit of learning, and love of family. Ruth lived a long and fruitful life with these three elements-especially family- always in her heart.

Ruth loved music. She started playing piano as a child, and later, as a mother of her own three children, strummed a nylon-stringed guitar that she purchased with S&H food stamps. (This guitar, by the way, is still being played by one of Ruth's grandchildren.) Her musical tastes were broad, ranging from hymns to choral music, to folk and old time music. She once heard "Here Comes the Sun" while she was sleeping and awoke amazed. Her love of music has been passed down to her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Ruth earned a degree in nutrition from Auburn University. There she met and married her first husband, Jim Macbeth, in 1957. She bore three children, two daughters and a son, within five years. Ruth was a wonderful mother-her children remember how joyful and creative she was.

The family lived in several locations during the 1960s, before settling in Tallahassee, Florida, in 1971. In 1982, now divorced, Ruth continued her education and earned a masters degree in special education from Florida A&M University. While her children were at college, Ruth worked for 10 years at Gretchen Everhart School in Tallahassee where she was a beloved teacher of young children.

In 1992, Ruth married Dr. Roy Young. The couple built a beautiful house near the bay in Apalachicola, Florida. The interior was lovingly designed and decorated by Ruth to create a refuge and gathering place for her children their spouses and her grandchildren. Ruth and Roy were dedicated members of Trinity Episcopal Church, and Ruth annually researched and wrote about homes for the church's annual Historic Apalachicola Home and Garden Tour. Their home was often described as a "tree house." The setting in midst of beautiful live oak trees, natural growth, and Ruth's wonderful plants brought her great happiness reflecting her love of nature.

The Copeland Family Reunion was a wonderful touchstone for Ruth and her family, bringing together all the generations each year for a happy gathering of storytelling, music, food, and love. Ruth was a beloved leader of this family tradition. This year marks the 53rd Family Reunion, and Ruth will be deeply missed.

In 2017, Ruth settled into King'sBridge Retirement Community in Atlanta, where she was a vibrant presence. She made many dear friends at King'sBridge and appreciated the kind professional care of the staff.

Ruth never stopped educating herself, reading and asking questions, and she loved and served her Lord. But, arching over all of this, her family was the defining presence in her life. Ruth's children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, sisters and brothers were always on her mind and in her interests. Her family will strive to reflect her openness and spirit of life.

Ruth is preceded in death by her parents Haden and Jimmie Copeland; by her brothers and their wives, Paul and Claire Copeland, and Dr. Robert and Jenny Copeland; by her sisters and their husband's, Mary Jo and Walter Cochran, and Faye and Ross Markham; by her nephews Hayden and Theodore Copeland; by her first husband, James Macbeth, and her second husband, Dr. Roy Young.

Ruth is survived by her sister, Jane Walley (Bill); Cousin Martha Deane Giles; children, Alicia Macbeth Jacobs (Hal), Alec Macbeth (Linda), and Amy Macbeth (Greg Harbeson); grandchildren, Daniel Jacobs-Nhan (Vi), Henry Jacobs (Robin), Haden Macbeth (Emily), and Alice Harbeson.

Seven loving great grandchildren were blessed to get to know Grandma Mimi Ruth. Many cousins, nieces and nephews have loved being family with Ruth, and many friends from over all the years were so happy to know her.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Ruth Copeland Young from 2 to 3 pm on Saturday, July 18 in the Pavilion Room at King's Bridge Retirement Community, 3055 Briarcliff Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30329.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in memory of Ruth Copeland Young to be given to the Apalachicola Riverkeeper https://apalachicolariverkeeper.org/how-you-can-help/