Luke Coppock Family: Back row, Otis Clyne, Aaron Flemine ("Jack"), and Ernest Bryan; middle row, Bernard McCoy ("Coy"), Luke Alfred Fletcher Coppock (father), Martha Ann ("Annie')(Fulcher; mother), Alice Lillian; front row, Clarence Fletcher ("Johnny").

Luke Alfred Fletcher 7 COPPOCK, born Saline County, April 6, 1866, and died there December 10, 1937. He lived with his Aunt Louisa (COPPOCK) ACREE in Bauxite for several years before his marriage on October 25, 1891, to Martha Ann ("Annie") FULCHER, the 17-year old daughter of Henry Clay FULCHER and Amanda Tennessee (ALLEN) FULCHER, of Saline County. Annie was born on November 30, 1873, and died March 21, 1927 in Chidester, Arkansas. Luke and Annie are both buried at New Friendship Cemetery, Saline County. Ercel TATUM (Luke's niece on the FULCHER side) described Luke as follows: He came to the FULCHER house "as a hobo," looking for work and food. He stayed around, and he and Annie fell in love and married. Henry Clay FULCHER gave them some land. Luke lay around all day and let Annie and the kids do the work. He would sometimes walk into Benton in the middle of the day to see a movie. When the family ran out of food, Annie's father would move her and the kids back into his house until Luke worked enough to re-supply the larder. Luke sold his land to get money, as a consequence of which the family moved around a lot to rented houses. Raymond E. COPPOCK, Luke's grandson, described Luke as, "Five foot ten, 230 pounds, and all muscle." He described Annie as "skinny,"--5 ft. 9 in. tall, and about 135 pounds.

Once Luke returned to Calhoun County, Arkansas, to visit his mother. Upon arrival, he found that she had fallen ill and died the week before. His brother had not notified him of her death. Luke was so hurt that he stopped visiting and communicating with his family in south Arkansas.

Luke was a member of New Friendship Baptist Church, and noted for his testimonials. Church records show that on February 24, 1900 he asked forgiveness for using bad language, and it was granted. A traditional family story has Luke stopping by his father-in-law's watermelon patch for refreshment on his way to an evening church service. He stood up to give his testimonial, cried, and found himself unable to speak. He finally said that he was so "full" (of the Holy Spirit, presumably) that he could not speak, and sat down. His friends joked that he was actually full of stolen watermelon.

The 1910 census located Luke, Annie, and five children in Saline County, Shaw Township. Luke is listed as a "laborer" doing "odd jobs"; cannot read or write; and rents a house. Annie can read and write, and has borne eight children, five of whom were then living. On May 27, 1916 they were given a letter of dismissal from New Friendship Baptist Church, probably in connection with the family's move to El Dorado, Arkansas. They were back in Saline County by January 2, 1920, when the census found them there. Luke, Annie, Ottis, Flemmine, Coy, Alice, and Clarence lived in a rented house on the Shaw Road. The box for Luke's occupation was left blank on the census return. In contrast with the 1910 census, Luke indicated that he could read and write, as could all other members of the household.

Raymond COPPOCK remembered Annie's funeral. It was held at New Friendship Baptist Church. He recalls that it was cold (unusual for Arkansas in March), and that the coffin was removed from the hearse by men in olive green army overcoats, placed on a roller frame, and rolled down the aisle of the church.

Luke and Annie had nine children (assuming that the 1910 census record is correct), only eight of whom can be identified.

1. Alfred Henry, born July 10, 1892, died March 9, 1897. He was buried in New Friendship Baptist Church cemetery, where there is a crude, nearly unreadable stone that is inscribed, "IN MEMORY OF A H COPPOCK born July [illegible] 18[illegible] died March 9 1897."

2. Otis Clyne, born July 18, 1894, in Detonti, Arkansas; died April 26, 1951, in Oklahoma City, where he is buried in Memorial Park Cemetery; married Connie Francis MCGEHEE on June 23, 1929. The 1910 census described him as a "farm laborer" "working out." The name "Otis C. COPPACH" appeared in the Benton Courier's July 5, 1917 listing of Saline County men subject to the draft. He was shown as a resident of Bauxite Township. He served in the Army in Europe during World War I. The 1920 census listed him as a salesman in a general store. Child: Ronald Clyne, born August 22, 1935.

3. Ernest Bryan, born November 24, 1896, died September 10, 1972, buried at New Friendship Cemetery.

4. Aaron Flemine ("Jack" or "Flem"), born July 15, 1899, date of death not known; married Ethel ROGERS. The 1910 census said that he could read and write. The 1920 census listed him as a shop hand in a machine shop. Children: Eldon Flemine, Dewie Elizabeth, Aaron Wayne, Jack Lamar, and Donald Mack.

5. Leland Gertrude, born September 12, 1902, died December 7, 1903.

6. Bernard McCoy ("Coy" or "Mack"), born September 27, 1904, died May 24, 1968, in Temple, Texas. Married Opal CRANFORD, September 20, 1929. She was born April 30, 1908, and died May 13, 1992, in Conway, Arkansas. Children: Anna Sue and Douglas Mack.

7. Alice Lillian, born June 17, 1907, died November 22, 1992; buried Clovis, California. Married first William DeWitt ROGERS; second, A.C. PIPPIG. Children by first marriage: Violet Rhea, Marilyn, Vivian Dealva, Connie Elizabeth, and William DeWitt.

8. Clarence Fletcher ("Johnny"), born December 12, 1911, died November 5, 1978, in Oceano, California. Married Mary Erma LONG. No issue.