Welton Lee "Babe" Cope

Welton Lee "Babe" Cope of Akron, Ohio, died, Friday, Oct. 19, 2007, at Akron City Hospital. He was 87. A graveside service will be held at 2:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2007 at Providence Baptist Church Cemetery, Clayhatchee, with the Rev. Robert Beasley officiating. Burial will follow with Providence Funeral Home directing. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m., Wednesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Providence Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 10 Providence Lane, Daleville, AL 36322. Born in Girardeau, Mo., Welton moved to Akron at a young age and lived there until his death. He graduated from Garfield High School in 1937 where he was the editor of the school newspaper. He was a veteran of World War II and the Korean Conflict, serving in the United States Air Force. Babe worked at various locations including the Garden and Park Center Lanes, he owned the Kenmore Place Diner and he operated the Gran Lanes lunch counter until his retirement in 1982. He taught junior bowling, was an avid bowler and loved big band music. Babe loved animals and life and lived everyday by the Golden Rule. Welton was preceded in death by his mother, Marie; stepfather, Arlis Simmons; and brothers, James and Garrett Cope. Surviving are his wife, Helen Simmons Cope, Akron, Ohio; sister-in-law, Mildred Fuller, Texas; brothers-in-law, Ted (Angeline) Simmons, Clayhatchee; Roger (Sally) Simmons, Newton; several nieces and nephews, and his cat, Mikie. William Searcy of Providence Funeral Home, (334) 393-2273, is in charge of arrangements.