Brother Melvin Copeland

The oldest son of Walter and Susie Copeland, Melvin, was born on October 24, 1938 in Harris County, Ga. During his early years, he spent much of his time playing with his uncles and aunts who were reared with him and his siblings. His mother, Susie, raised her siblings as she began her family. His father, Walter, was an extraordinary man who raised his wife's siblings along side his own children. Brother Copeland learned the lessons of sharing,contentment, duty, and unity during his time at home. To help the family, he and his younger brother, John Lewis, worked in a sawmill...starting at the age of fourteen. Over the years, he would often retell that story with pleasure.

Back in the 40s and 50s, many young men tried their hand at
quartet singing. His brother, John Lewis, their cousins Pete and Bennie Joe Deloach, and others formed a singing group. They would perform at various churches on Sundays. The group would gain some notoriety in the Talbot, Harris, and Meriwether County areas. They were known as the Southern Bells.

On April 1, 1961, Melvin married Nina Terry. To that union, three children were born: Miranda, Angie, and Troy. He, along with his wife, raised the children to be good, productive citizens, and to NEVER run away from hard work. Melvin worked for 22 years at the Milliken plant in Manchester, Ga. After the plant closed, he worked for Legrandes Business Forms for over ten years. Always nurturing a thirst for learning, he enrolled at West Georgia Technical School where he became a certificated carpenter. We watched him PROUDLY march into the stadium to receive his diploma at 58 years old! With the skills that he gained from that training, he later became the head of maintenance at West Georgia Technical College.

In the mid-sixties, Bro. Copeland became a member of the
Greentown Heights Church of Christ. He was taught by the late Bro. Sammie Waller, Sr., while working at Milliken and the late Bro. Hardy Gamble. Bro. Copeland spent much time reading and deliberating about the Gospel of Christ. While at Greentown Heights, he taught Bible classes, Wednesday Night classes, and he preached.  He considered himself a type of missionary as he preached throughout East Alabama and West Central Georgia: LaFayette Church of Christ, LaFayette, Alabama, Motts Church of Christ, Smiths, Alabama, Wright Street Church of Christ in LaGrange, Georgia, and finally, The North Talbotton Church of Christ in Talbotton, Georgia. Brother Copeland labored in Talbotton initially under the elders of the Edgewood Church of Christ in Columbus, Ga. Because of advancing and lingering symptoms of late stage Alzheimer's Disease and a stroke, Bro. Copeland relinquished the upkeep and nurturing of the congregation to Brothers Major Graham, Jr. and Vincent Graham, and Bro. Jessie Mays. At that time, Bro. Copeland had served the congregation in Talbotton for 42 years. Because of his willingness to lead, mentor, and train others to become leaders in the Lord's church, the North Talbotton Church of Christ still stands. During one of his final appearances with the church members, as he realized his memory was failing, he intreated the congregation, "Dont y'all forget old Brother Copeland!"

Other than studying God's word, Bro. Copeland enjoyed
researching the Apostle Paul's missionary journeys. He could
describe them as if he had been there. He also enjoyed feeding and watching birds, reading, watching westerns, taking train rides, watching weather patterns, visiting amusement parks and museums, watching the news and debating current events, and singing with his beloved Nina.

Preceding him in death include his parents: Walter and Susie
Copeland, two brothers: John Lewis Copeland and Charlie Albert Copeland, two sisters: Pauline Copeland Whitehead, and Sarah Copeland Barnes.

Left to mourn his memory are his wife of 63 years, Nina, three
children: Miranda Banks (Lewis), Angie Copeland, and Kevin
Copeland, grandson: Patrick Banks (Rhonda), three bonus
great-grandchildren: Ronairah Shedrick, Geleah Tuck, and Rielle Tuck, two brothers: Calvin Copeland (Stephanie) and Tommy Copeland (Theaster); two sisters: Charlie Acey (Roosevelt), Yvonne Copeland Sellers; one uncle: Jimmie Denson; two sisters-in-law; one brother-in-law, and a host of nieces, nephews. great-nieces, and great-nephews; a Special caregiver and brother-in-Christ, Jessie Mays, and "50-11 dozen" cousins!

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