Ray Copeland

Jones Ray Copeland, born on April 10, 1923, entered his heavenly home on October 15, 2018.  He was predeceased by his parents, Pearvie and James Copeland, his children's Mother, Corine Medley Copeland, his niece, Josephine Stamm, three Siblings and their spouses, Gerald & Joyce Copeland, Edwin & Hilda Copeland, and Evelyn &Ward Free.

Survivors include son, Kenneth Ray (Tammy) Copeland, daughter, Norma Corine (Sydney) Welch, grandchildren Stephanie (Bill) Downs, Shawn (Jessica) Welch, two great grandchildren Sydney Catherine and Bailey Copeland Downs, numerous nieces and nephews as well as special friends of the heart, Mary Gilliland, Jane and Don Cohenour.

Ray left a legacy of service to God, family, country, and community.  He was full of life and lived life to the fullest.  He attended Sunday School for sixty-three years without an absence, while serving as deacon, superintendent, teacher, treasurer, committee member and leader/coach to the Royal  Ambassador teams.

He was a dedicated Father who unselfishly met the needs of not his own children, but numerous others who were included in his hobbies of fishing and hunting in addition to many other activities.

His service to country and community was extraordinary.  He was the last WW II Veteran in Campobello.  He served as postmaster for thirty-four years during which time he helped establish a volunteer fire department, served on the town council for twenty-one years and led as mayor for thirteen years.  He was named the South Carolina 1991 Postmaster of the Year, plus served as the Legislative Resolutions Chairman.  In addition, he was a member and held offices for the Civic Club, Lions Club, Tri County Mental Health Association and Boy Scouts.  He was a dedicated Mason and as a member of the Landrum Lodge achieved all ranks of Masonry to the 33rd Degree, Scottish Rite Masonry and District Deputy of the 20th District.  In his Notary Public capacity, he conducted many weddings.

Visitation will be held 10:00-11:00am Thursday, October 18, 2018 in the First Baptist Church of Campobello Family Life Center and will be followed at 11:00am by a Celebration of Life service in the sanctuary.  Interment will be at the Evergreen Memorial Gardens in Landrum, S.C.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to the Campobello First Baptist Church Capital Improvement Fund at P.O. Box 205, Campobello, S.C.  29322.

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