Lester Ray Copeland

 Lester Ray Copeland, 76, of 748 Ryland Road, Tyner, NC, died Friday, October 11, 2024, in ECU Health Chowan Hospital, Edenton.

 Mr. Copeland was born in Chowan County on April 26, 1948, and was the son of the late Lester Taylor Copeland and Celia Rae Nixon Copeland. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant brother, Joseph Taylor Copeland.

 A graduate of Chowan High School, in earlier years he and his brothers were active in the local 4-H Club and participated in the annual livestock competitions. He was proud of the hogs he raised and in 1959 and 1960 he placed both Grand Champion and Reserve Champion in the County Fat Stock Show.

 Mr. Copeland was raised working in the family business, Copeland & Sons Turkey Farm, and began farming in 1967. He established Indian Creek Farms in 1982 and began supplying produce to over 40 Farm Fresh Supermarkets, as well as commercial crops to wholesale suppliers. Many in the area will remember his machinist skills, and many neighboring farmers would bring equipment to him for repair work.

 Surviving is his wife of 56 years, Emily White Copeland; their children, Celia Kay Copeland Overton of Tyner and Kelly Ray Copeland of Belvidere; his grandson, Michael Taylor Overton; two brothers, Paul G. Copeland (wife, Seanna) of LaGrange and H. Alan Copeland of Elizabeth City; and many extended members of the Copeland, Nixon, and White families.

 The family Mr. Copeland shaped and nurtured and that grew from his influence, guidance, and caring, not only included his immediate family but his close friends who he relied on daily.

 Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. in Ballard’s Bridge Baptist Church where he was a lifelong member and will be conducted by Pastor Josh Engen and longtime family friend, Pastor Walter Byrum. The burial will follow in the church cemetery. Friends may visit with the family on Monday evening from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. in Miller & Van Essendelft Funeral Home and Crematory, 735 Virginia Road, Edenton, or all other times at the residence.

 Flowers are welcomed, or contributions in his memory may be made to Ballard’s Bridge Baptist Church, 3025 Virginia Road, Tyner, NC 27980.

 Online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.