Marcena Sue “Marcie” Copas, 67, of Warrensburg, died Wednesday, March 2, at St. Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City. She was surrounded by a standing-room-only group of family and friends who serenaded her with “You are My Sunshine,” at her time of death.

Marcie’s life of love and being loved began Sept. 9, 1948, in Columbia, Missouri, the daughter of Charles and Berneita (Hageman) Fitzgerald who both preceded her passing. She met the man of her dreams and married Larry Copas on May 15, 2001, at Lion’s Lake Park in Warrensburg, Missouri. Larry survives her spectacular life.

Marcie pursued her passion and graduated from the Columbia College, Columbia, Missouri, with a teaching degree. She dedicated her successful 39-year career to elementary education in the classroom and the library. Marcie particularly enjoyed teaching children at risk at the Johnson County Juvenile Detention Center in Warrensburg for nine years. She retired from her rewarding and long-standing teaching vocation in 2013. She was an avid supporter of the Warrensburg Schools Foundation.

Marcie is survived by her husband, Larry, of Warrensburg; her daughter, Melissa (Martins) Carter, and husband, Keith, of Brea, California; her son, Kelly Carter, and wife, Christina, of Carlsbad, California; her brother, Mike Fitzgerald, and wife, Nancy, of Warrensburg; her niece, Natalee Fitzgerald, of Warrensburg; her niece, Michelle (Fitzgerald) Porter, and husband, Ryan, of Knob Noster; her nephew, Jeremy Fitzgerald, of Sedalia; her grandson, Kyle Carter, of Fort Collins, Colorado; her grandson, Riley Carter, of Carlsbad, California; and her grandson, Tristan Jensen, of San Elijo Hills, California.

A reception for family and friends (all are welcome) to acknowledge her warmhearted presence in all our lives is scheduled for 2 to 5 p.m., Saturday, March 5, at Player’s Restaurant in Warrensburg. Two “Celebration of Life” events will occur at locations, to be determined, later in the year in Missouri and California. Official announcements for the “Celebration of Life” events will be forthcoming.

Memorial contributions on behalf of Marcie are recommended to the Warrensburg Foundation and can be left in care of Sweeney-Phillips & Holdren Funeral Home.