On Thursday July 22, 2021, at the age of 50, our beloved wife and mother Malai (Jackman) Copling passed away at St. Mary’s Hospital in St Louis. Malai was born on Jan. 22, 1971, to Geraldine (Jeri) (Rasmussen) and Dallas Ardo Jackman in Salt Lake City Utah. Malai is survived by her loving husband, Leonard Troy Copling; their 12 children, Chalaé (Nathaniel) Carter with grandson Gabriel, Kyler Copling, Tia (Thomas) Stock with grandson Toby Kendrick, Cade, Branté, Kiana, Zane, Shandra, Ayzlee, Braxton, Zalina and Cozette; her eight siblings, Chaton (Gary) Rymer, Shane (Amy) Jackman, Brett (Tonya) Jackman, Tory (Michelle) Jackman, Danai (Timothy) Wilden, Kamn (Emilie) Jackman, Brock (Jennifer) Jackman and Tanji (Jimmy) Noorlander. She was preceded in death by both of her parents and two sons, Zander and Zayden Copling.
Malai grew up dancing in her mother’s ballet studio ‘White Shoes’ in Salt Lake City, Utah. She attended Cottonwood High School where she enjoyed dancing on the drill team and later studied ballet at the University of Utah on scholarship. In April 1990, Malai married L. Troy Copling in the Salt Lake City, Utah temple and they were sealed together for time and all eternity. Malai loved her eternal family, her husband, and children. They were her pride and joy in this life. Everything she did was for them- to share the joy that’s possible, to teach them of God’s plan and to make sure all their needs were fulfilled. Loving and providing for her children is something she continues to do from the other side, even after death. No words describe the wonderful woman Malai was. She loved and served God with all her heart, never once faltering in her faith in Jesus Christ and His plan. She knew of God’s love for His children. She never passed up a chance to share his love with others and help them feel His peace. Malai loved to dance and she shared that love with all those around her. Her ballet studio (Children’s Ballet of the Ozarks) has become an integral part of the community, with their annual Nutcracker becoming a Christmas tradition for many. She had a particular passion for teaching children to dance, along with valuable life lessons. She would never turn away a student regardless of their circumstances. She loved each of them as if they were her own. She didn’t just create a dance community; she created a dance family. She welcomed all with open arms and they felt it. Malai Copling will be loved and missed deeply by her family, students and the community. Her legacy will live on through the lives of her children, students and all of those she touched. Her family looks forward to seeing her again when she returns on resurrection morning. Visitation was held Friday July 30, 2021 from 10-11 a.m. at the Houston Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, with services beginning at 11 a.m. with Bishop Brigham Arce officiating. Burial took place on Tuesday August 3, 2021, at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, Salt Lake City, Utah. Pallbearers were Troy Copling, Kyler Copling, Cade Copling, Zane Copling, Nathaniel Carter and Thomas Stock.
