Linda Gail Copen-Wohleber

Linda Mays Copen-Wohleber, age 83, passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully on April 2nd, 2024, at her second home in Surfside Beach, South Carolina. She was born at the Mays homeplace in Athens, WV, on October 16th, 1940, and was the first of five children born to Alex Marion Mays and Barbara Ward Mays. She graduated from Athens High School (class of 59) and Concord College in Athens, West Virginia.

Linda wasn't just the firstborn; she was the spark that ignited imagination and creativity. Linda wasn't just a big sister but a co-conspirator in a world of plays, costumes, and neighborhood adventures. This natural leadership extended to Athens High School, where she wasn't just part of the dance committee – she orchestrated the very pulse of the school's social scene with the help of her classmates and good friends.

Linda's ability to organize and inspire translated beautifully into a fulfilling career as a teacher for the Cleveland Public Schools. For over three decades, she not only taught but also nurtured young minds, leaving an indelible mark on countless students who still carry her lessons and guidance with them today.

Retirement was not the end of Linda's journey; it was a new chapter filled with the delightful world of antiques. She owned and operated several stores in Ohio and Bramwell, West Virginia, where she showcased her talent for transforming beautiful objects into creative but practical spaces. Her interior design skills were legendary, as was her knack for finding the perfect treasure at a reasonable price. This talent and her undeniable charisma earned her the affectionate nickname 'The Glamster' – a glamorous hamster always looking for the next dazzling creation.

One of Linda's most cherished qualities was her boundless love for animals. Her heart was a sanctuary for countless dogs, strays, and rescues who found solace and care in her presence. Her compassion was a beacon of hope for every lost soul.

When news of Linda’s passing reached her friends and family, a common thread emerged: extraordinary generosity. She was always ready with a thoughtful gift and was a frequent donor to family, friends, and charitable causes. Her unwavering support was a testament to her selflessness.

Linda's zest for life wasn't confined to four walls. She cherished her time "snowbirding" in Surfside Beach, revisiting the familiar comfort of her childhood home in Athens, and embracing the simple beauty of Amish life in Homerville, Ohio, where she built a library on her porch, a haven for curious Amish children, some of whom she even tutored.

She is predeceased by her brother, David Mays, and is survived by her husband of 35 years, Jim Wohleber; her daughter, Terry (Copen) Borroni (Albert), and granddaughter, Alessandra Borroni; her son, Shawn Copen (Talie), and grandsons Anthony, Victor, and Elijah Copen; her sisters Cheryl Mays, Barbara Nickum (Mays), and Diane (Mays) Landy (Joseph); her nephews James and Blake Hixon (Andrea), great-nephews, Avery and Beck, and niece Alexia Everett (Christian), and great-nephew Ciaran.

Linda Mays Copen-Wohleber wasn't just a woman who lived; she was a woman who created a life as vibrant and unforgettable as the stories she wove with her loved ones. There will be a graveside service on Friday, April 12th, at 9:45 a.m. at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Seville, Ohio, and a memorial service at Melrose Community Church in Princeton, West Virginia, on Saturday, June 22nd at 11:00 a.m.
Instead of flowers, a donation can be made to Save Ohio Strays at www.saveohiostrays.org or any organization that supports and cares for strays. Online condolences and memories may be left on McMillan-Small Funeral Home’s website, www.msfh.net.