Beverly Giddins

Beverly Copeland Giddins made her transition on March 18, 2023 with her family at her bedside.  Beverly was born to Wilton and Mary Copeland on October 4, 1947 in Portsmouth Virginia.

Beverly (Belle or Bev to loved ones) was educated in Portsmouth Public Schools.  She graduated from I.C. Norcom High School in 1966 and then attended Norfolk State University where she completed her BS Education degree in 1970.  Upon graduation she returned to I.C. Norcom to begin her teaching career followed by stops at Craddock High School, the Special Education Center, and Woodrow Wilson High School.  As a Health and Physical Education teacher athletics were a major part of Beverly’s life.  She coached girl’s varsity basketball and field hockey and made many valuable contributions as a coach and mentor to the Special Olympics.  Beverly was a champion of the Title IX movement for women’s equality in sport.  She became the first woman to hold the position of High School Athletic Director in the city of Portsmouth at Woodrow Wilson High School.  During her thirty-nine year teaching career she touched many lives and made an impact on countless children.  This was evidenced by the numerous students who would approach her to say hello even many years after her retirement.

Beverly leaves her husband Henry Giddins Sr of forty-four years her daughter Arnitra Darden of Decatur, GA and her son Henry (Tiffany) Giddins Jr. of South Orange, NJ.  She was predeceased by her mother and father and her siblings James Copeland and Rebecca Copeland.  She is survived by her brother Michael (Shanell) Copeland of Norfolk, VA.  Beverly was a loving grandmother of five.  Jalen Howell, Imani Darden, and Kyran Hall of Decatur, GA along with Deborah Giddins and Henry Giddins III of South Orange, NJ are grateful for the time they were allowed to spend with “Grandma”.  Family and friends remember Beverly as a caring woman who would give her last and always had a listening ear and words of wisdom at the ready.  She could deliver warm words of encouragement or a stern correction depending on the situation. We always knew where we stood with ‘Belle’.  Her sense of humor and playful spirit will be missed by all who knew her.  We are thankful for the seventy-five years we got to spend with her.

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