Ray Copeland

    Ray Copeland, 87, of 1620 Belvidere Road, died Friday, February 4, 2022 in Sentara Albemarle Medical Center, Elizabeth City.

   Mr. Copeland was born in Perquimans County on June 2, 1934, and was the son of the late Alvin Glinwood Copeland and Mary Christine Ellis "Crissie" Copeland.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sisters, Mary Alice Lamb and Mildred Byrum, and by brothers, Clinton, Henry, and Wilbur Copeland.

   A retired heavy equipment operator from Weyerhaeuser in Plymouth following 30 years of employment, he attended and enjoyed fellowship in Calvary Pentecostal Holiness Church, and was a former member of the Albemarle Bee Keeper's Club.  Other enjoyments included his love of fishing, hunting, and riding the roads and checking on his neighbors.

   Surviving is his wife of 61 years, Frances Winslow Copeland; a daughter, Lisa Chappell (Mark) of Belvidere; a son, Alvin Copeland, Jr. (Cyndi) of Hertford; two sisters, Alma White of Hobbsville and Gladys Overton of Hertford; a brother, Ervin Copeland of Hobbsville; six grandchildren, Heather Chavez (Rumualdo), Brooke Truesdale (Josh), Eric Copeland (Jhasmine), Krissy Stanton (Jared), Laura Brabble (Jordan), and Isaac Chappell; five great-grandchildren, Matthew, Logan, Nicolas, Levi, and Raelee; along with both baby Stanton due to be born in March and baby Brabble due in June.

   Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. in the Miller & Van Essendelft Funeral Chapel, 1125 Harvey Point Road, Hertford, and will be conducted by family friend, Ken Spivey.  A private burial will follow in Cedarwood Cemetery.  Friends may visit with the family in the funeral home immediately following the service, and other times at the residence.

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