SUFFOLK - Walter James Copeland, 77, of the 2000 block of Cedarwood Lane, went home to be with the Lord on October 28, 2008. He was a native of Nansemond County and was the son of the late Johnny and Pattie Copeland. He was also preceded in death by three sisters, Mattie Eley, May Alice Bland, and Irene Copeland and a brother, Mack Copeland.
He served in the Air Force for 27 years and received the National Defense Service Medal, the U. S. Service Medal, Korean Conflict Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Service Medal. He was later employed by the Naval Public Works Center for 24 years and received a Career Service Award from the Secretary of the Navy for 40 years of service. He was a member of the 20/30 Military Retiree Club and the Masonic Lodge. Mr. Copeland was a member of Healing Chapel Baptist Church where he was Chairman of the Trustee Board, was a member of the Senior Choir and Driver of the Church Van.
He leaves to cherish his memory, his devoted wife, Darlene Sims Copeland; three daughters, Brenda Copeland Newland, Marsha Copeland-Whitfield (Wendell) and Vanessa Bennett Newsome, all of Suffolk; one son, William Hyman (Anntionita); a devoted godson, Clinton Copeland; devoted nephew, Mack Daniel Copeland, Jr.; two sisters, Pattie R. Garris and Elaine Lee (Clarence) of Suffolk; four brothers, Johnnie C. Copeland, Jr., Leon Copeland (Mary), Richard Copeland (Barbara), Alvin Copeland (Jacqueline), all of Suffolk and Vernon Stagg of New York; nine grandchildren, Patrice Jones, Louis Newland, Deanna Whitfield, Daylan Wilkins, Darsjhon Beasley, LaShonda Newsome, Crystal Wynn, Tori Artis, and Terrance King, all of Suffolk; six great grandchildren, Brittney Jones, Briana Hill, Jamaal Mills, Jr., Montreal Smith, Jr., Taclana Smith and Omari Parker, all of Suffolk; one brother-in-law, Charles Bland, Sr.; three sisters-in-law, Laura Copeland, Lela Daniel and Dorothy Brown; and nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, November 3, 2008 at Healing Chapel Baptist Church, officiated by the Rev. Ajack Scott and the Rev. Morris Almond. Interment will be in the Albert G. Horton Memorial Veterans Cemetery, Suffolk. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Healing Chapel Baptist Church Building Fund, 2375 Godwin Blvd., Suffolk, VA 23434. The family will receive friends at Crocker Funeral Home Sunday from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
