Joan Cope French,101, of Statesville, N.C., passed away Wednesday, November 27, 2024, at Brookdale Peachtree Assisted Living.

Mrs. French was born in London, England, on March 3, 1923, to the late Francis William Phipps Cope and Alice Mary Elizabeth Spary Cope. She was also preceded in death by her two husbands, Robert A. Young and Donald E. French.

Joan was a graduate of Brookgreen College in London and then worked as a telegraph operator during World War II, where she met her first husband Bob, who was an American GI. She influenced many young girls as her daughters’ Girl Scout Leader. When her children were older, she went to work at Spainhour’s as a cosmetics representative. She was a long-time member of Trinity Episcopal Church, where she served on Altar Guild for over 30 years.

Those left to cherish her memory include her two daughters, Beverly Young Alexander (John) of Treasure Island, Fla., and Debbie Young Stephens (John) of Summerville, S.C. She is further survived by four grandchildren, Alison Good (Trevor), Megan Greeson (Adam), Emily Breton (Joel), and Robert Stephens (Tina); and 10 great-grandchildren. We would like to thank her good friend, Evie Caldwell, who visited her weekly and took her to many places while she was at Brookdale Peachtree.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held later at Trinity Episcopal Church. Burial will be private.

Nicholson Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.