Coppage, Samuel Francis, Sr. (1886-1977)

By Kevin Geisert, SMC Reference Librarian. September 2022.

 

Dr. Samuel Francis Coppage, Sr. was a prominent African American dentist and civil rights leader in Norfolk, VA during the twentieth century.  He was born in Perquimans County, NC on January 25, 1886 to John T. Coppage and Letitia Nixon Coppage.  His parents, who were former slaves, relocated the family to Norfolk by 1892.  Like all African Americans in Virginia at this time, he faced the challenges of living in a society defined by race.  He experienced the indignities of a Jim Crow South and its segregation laws on a daily basis.  Coppage also heard influential white men in Norfolk use racially disparaging language toward African Americans.  His determination to overcome these obstacles led him to become a leading voice in the local African American community.1

Coppage understood the value of a strong work ethic and it served as a solid foundation during his entire life.  Obtaining a quality education allowed him to rise above the injustices that permeated Norfolk society.  Because of Virginia’s segregation laws, Coppage went to school at Norfolk Mission College, which served the African American population in town.  At some point during this time, his future vocation came sharply into focus.  Coppage determined that his passion for helping the downtrodden, particularly those of his own race, would lead him to pursue a career in dentistry.2  His choice was not popular with everyone though.  A white club owner terminated Coppage as a waiter after learning of his decision to become a dentist.  However, nothing could deter him from building a successful career in Norfolk.3  Upon completion of high school, he relocated to Washington, D. C. and matriculated at Howard University (a prominent HBCU).  Coppage studied in the university’s dental program and by 1912 had attained his professional credentials.  In addition to his academic success, Coppage also demonstrated leadership qualities on the football field as Howard University’s quarterback.4 

Following his graduation from Howard University with a D.D.S., Dr. Coppage returned home to fulfill his commitment to the black community in Norfolk.  Soon after arrival, he opened a dental practice that would serve patients for sixty-two years.5  The practice was originally located at 602 East Bute Street, but it soon relocated to 654 Church Street.6  Much later he operated at 702 Church Street.7   Dr. Coppage resided at several different addresses in Norfolk.  They included 707 Wood Street, 935 Dunbar Street, 1041 Maltby Avenue and 2621 Myrtle Avenue.8

In June 1914, Dr. Coppage married Eunice Marion Ganey, but she tragically lost her life while giving birth just over two years later.  Several years later, he joined with his second wife, Constance Elizabeth Jordan, in December 1943.  This marriage produced one child, Samuel Coppage, Jr., who was born in 1948.9  Dr. Coppage was a Christian and attended Grace Episcopal Church.  For several years, he was an active member of its congregation.  At different times, he fulfilled the role of vestryman, Sunday School Superintendent, and chairman of a Boy Scout troop.10

Life was a daily struggle for African Americans in this era of the twentieth century.  Norfolk was a segregated city that adhered to the Jim Crow laws of Virginia.  Black citizens were excluded from city facilities, such as parks, libraries, and hospitals.  Consequently, they felt neglected by city leaders.  African Americans faced acute problems, such as decrepit schools, and also struggled to find quality physicians who took their health care seriously.  These concerns arose because of inadequate funding.  As a way of giving back to his brethren, Dr. Coppage provided free medical care for indigent children.  He understood that black citizens were an underserved population in the community and took steps to rectify this injustice.  As a prominent member of the community, Coppage used his considerable influence with the Tidewater Colored Hospital Association to provide a hospital dedicated to serving black people.  The Tidewater Hospital became Norfolk’s first such hospital designed for this purpose.  It was later known as Drake Memorial Hospital and Norfolk Community Hospital.  While serving on a local draft board during World War II, Dr. Coppage once again used his voice to criticize the manner in which black dental students were frequently subjected to an inhospitable environment while their white counterparts enjoyed a much more favorable reception.  Dr. Coppage tried to adjust the board’s attitude by withholding names so that it would act more justly and fairly.  He also advocated for groups that were committed to developing the black youth in Norfolk through both education and recreation.  Two such organizations with local African American ties were the Boy Scouts of America and the YMCA.11

Dr. Coppage contributed to Norfolk society through politics as well.  Throughout his life, he remained politically active to address issues facing African Americans.  He challenged segregation laws and was instrumental in establishing the Virginia Conference of the NAACP.  He also served as a delegate during the Democratic Convention in Virginia in 1946.  When necessary, Dr. Coppage challenged other blacks if they did not take a forceful stance against discrimination.  He shunned the local African American chapter of the NAACP for several years because the president, Plummer Bernard Young, sought at all costs to avoid a confrontation with the white ruling class over segregation.  Despite the Democratic Party’s history of racism, Coppage became a committed supporter of the party by 1928.  In order to eliminate the scourge of state-sanctioned discrimination, he determined that his best course of action would be to win a fight for the Democratic Party.  Loyally supporting the Republican Party, as many blacks did for years, had not improved their status.  Republicans had taken their vote for granted and become indifferent to black constituents.  His efforts at reform frequently led to clashes with white Southern Democrats who were resistant to a change in the status quo.  Coppage worked to boost voter enthusiasm in the community and played an active role in bringing greater black representation to Norfolk.  He only supported candidates who were sympathetic to the plight of African Americans.  He hoped other blacks would follow his lead by seeking political power in the Democratic Party.  As Dr. Coppage recognized, the vote could be used as a powerful weapon to enact policies that addressed the concerns of black people in Norfolk.12

Because of his tireless work for civil rights, the Norfolk Journal & Guide honored Dr. Coppage in 1948.  Even though he achieved much during his life, he often questioned his impact on the Norfolk community.  Coppage continued to work towards the betterment of Norfolk residents for the rest of his life.  He died on February 26, 1977 and is buried in Calvary Cemetery in Norfolk.  Joseph Green, Jr. conducted the service at Grace Episcopal Church on March 3, 1977.13


Sources:

Full Name:  Dr. Samuel Francis Coppage, Sr.

Also Known as: “Doc” Coppage, Frank Coppage

Birth Date: January 25, 1886

Birthplace: Durants Neck, Perquimans County, N.C.

Parents: John T. Coppage and Letitia Nixon Coppage

Ethnicity: American

Race: Black

Spouse: 1st Wife-Eunice Marion Ganey, 2nd Wife-Constance Elizabeth Jordan

Children: Samuel Francis Coppage, Jr. (Constance)

1st Marriage:  Eunice Marion Ganey on June 18, 1914 in Pasquotank County, NC.

2nd Marriage:  Constance Elizabeth Jordan on December 28, 1943 in Norfolk, VA.

Death Date: February 26, 1977

Death Place: Norfolk, VA

Burial Date: March 3, 1977

Burial Place: Calvary Cemetery (Norfolk, VA)


Major Keywords/Search Terms:

Coppage, Samuel Francis, Sr. | Coppage, Samuel Francis, Jr. | Ganey, Eunice Marion | Jordan, Constance Elizabeth | “Doc” Coppage | Coppage, John T. | Coppage, Letitia Nixon | Howard University | Football Team | Slaves | Jim Crow South | African Americans | Black Community | Dentistry | Church Street | East Bute Street | Wood Street | Maltby Ave. | Dunbar Street | Coppage, Samuel, Jr. | Tidewater Hospital | Drake Memorial Hospital | Norfolk Community Hospital | Draft board | Vote | White Supremacists | Segregation | Democratic Party | Young, Plummer Bernard | Norfolk Journal & Guide | Indigent | Grace Episcopal Church | Tidewater Colored Hospital Association | Calvary Cemetery 

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       3)  Collections:

Samuel F. Coppage, Sr. Papers, MSS 2016-072  http://smcarchives.libraryhost.com/index.php?p=collections/controlcard&id=1002

                   

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       5)    Newspapers/Magazines/Journals (Selected Articles):

 

        6)    Photographs/Images:

Boxes 2, 6, 10, and 20 from Samuel F. Coppage, Sr. Papers, MSS 2016-072  http://smcarchives.libraryhost.com/index.php?p=collections/controlcard&id=1002


 

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