SUFFOLK - Alfred Wright Copeland, Sr., 78, of 1156 Lummis Road, Suffolk, passed away January 7, 2009 at Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center. He was a native of Nansemond County and son of the late Abe and Cherry Victoria Rawls Copeland.

Mr. Copeland was an Army Veteran and retired from the Naval Supply Center after 39 years of service. He was a member of St. John Christian Church.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his devoted wife, Catherine D. Copeland; six daughters, Cherry Lewis (Melvin), Ella L. Douglas (Willie), Mary Harden (Tracy), Deloise Copeland (James), Catherine Jones (William) and Mary Boone, all of Suffolk; one stepdaughter, Minister Eula Marshall of Newport News; two sons, Alfred Copeland, Jr. (Doris) and George Taylor of Suffolk; one sister, Lillie Gertrude Ford of Suffolk; two brothers, Abe Copeland, Jr. (Mattie) and Joe Copeland (Lena Mae) of Suffolk; 19 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren; three sisters-in-law, Mildred Copeland, Edyth Copeland and Bessie Keys all of Suffolk; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A service to celebrate his life will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at Zion Christian Church, 5200 Quaker Drive, Suffolk, VA, officiated by the Rev. Ronnie Hall. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Crocker Funeral Home is handling arrangements.