Ivy Bodiford, also known as Ivy Sandra Bodiford Copeland Sharp, was the first wife of American televangelist Kenneth Copeland. She was born on July 5, 1937, in Fort Worth, Texas, and died on June 20, 2022, at the age of 84.
Ivy and Kenneth married during the 1950s and had one daughter, Terri Copeland Pearsons, before divorcing in 1958. Their marriage ended years before Kenneth became famous for his Christian television ministry and prosperity gospel preaching.
After the divorce, Ivy remarried, had two more children, and spent much of her life in the Fort Worth area.
Ivy Bodiford’s Early Life and Family
Ivy Sandra Bodiford was born on July 5, 1937, in Fort Worth, Texas. She was also known by the nickname Sandy.
Her parents were Ivy Weldon Bodiford and Edna Fay Bodiford. She grew up in Fort Worth and attended Polytechnic High School, commonly known as Poly High School, graduating in 1955.
There is limited public information about her childhood, siblings, or early career. Most biographical details about Ivy come from family accounts and memorial records published after her death.
She spent much of her life in Texas, maintaining close relationships with her children and extended family.
Ivy Bodiford and Kenneth Copeland’s Marriage
Ivy Bodiford was Kenneth Copeland’s first wife. The couple married in the 1950s, long before Kenneth established his career as a televangelist.
Kenneth was born on December 6, 1936, in Lubbock, Texas, making him approximately seven months older than Ivy.
Their daughter, Terri Copeland, was born in 1957. She later became known as Terri Copeland Pearsons through her marriage to George Pearsons, a pastor associated with Kenneth Copeland Ministries.
Ivy and Kenneth divorced in 1958, ending a marriage that had lasted approximately three years.
At the time, Kenneth had yet to establish the religious organization that would eventually make him internationally recognizable.
Ivy Bodiford’s Second Husband, Bill Sharp
Following her divorce from Kenneth Copeland, Ivy married Bill Sharp in 1960.
The couple had two children together, Gary and Becky Sharp. Along with Terri, Ivy was the mother of three children.
Her second marriage and family life received little public attention. Unlike her former husband, who became a prominent television personality, Ivy lived primarily outside the entertainment and religious media industries.
Family accounts describe her as a caring woman who enjoyed helping others and spending time with loved ones. She was remembered for her generosity and willingness to assist people in her community.
Ivy Bodiford’s Children
Ivy Bodiford had three children from her two marriages:
- Terri Copeland Pearsons: Her daughter with Kenneth Copeland, born in 1957. Terri became involved in Christian ministry and is married to pastor George Pearsons.
- Gary Sharp: Her son from her marriage to Bill Sharp.
- Becky Sharp: Her daughter from her marriage to Bill Sharp.
Terri is the best-known of Ivy’s children because of her association with Kenneth Copeland Ministries and Eagle Mountain International Church.
Gary and Becky have maintained much lower public profiles, and little information about their professional or personal lives is available.
Ivy Bodiford’s Death and Cause of Death
Ivy Bodiford died on June 20, 2022, in Texas. She was 84 years old, just 15 days away from her 85th birthday.
Her cause of death was not publicly disclosed in the available biographical information.
She was survived by her children, grandchildren, and other relatives, including her brother John Vanston.
Her passing received little national media coverage, although family members and those close to her remembered her life and the care she had shown to others.
Kenneth Copeland’s Life After Their Divorce
Following his divorce from Ivy, Kenneth Copeland continued pursuing a career that eventually led him into Christian evangelism.
He later married Cynthia Davis, and that marriage also ended in divorce. In 1963, he married Gloria Copeland, who became his longtime partner in ministry.
Kenneth and Gloria established Kenneth Copeland Ministries in 1967. The organization grew into an international Christian ministry known for television broadcasts, religious conferences, and teachings associated with the prosperity gospel.
Kenneth became a controversial figure because of his teachings about wealth, donations, and financial prosperity. His ownership and use of private aircraft and expensive properties have also attracted media scrutiny.
Ivy’s marriage to Kenneth ended before these developments, and she was never publicly involved in the ministry he later founded.
Who Was Ivy Bodiford Beyond Her Marriage to Kenneth Copeland?
Although Ivy Bodiford is primarily remembered online as Kenneth Copeland’s first wife, she spent more than six decades building a life after their divorce.
She remarried in 1960, raised three children, and remained connected to her family and community in Texas. Her daughter Terri eventually became involved in the same religious ministry that made Kenneth Copeland famous, but Ivy herself stayed outside public religious broadcasting.
Ivy died in 2022 at the age of 84. Her surviving biographical records describe a woman remembered by her family for her kindness, generosity, and devotion to those close to her.
