Reverend Gerald Lee Copeland, Sr.

A beautiful life came to a close on Friday, December 20, 2024, at the Malcolm Randolph, VA Medical Center, Gainesville, Florida, when Rev. Gerald Lee Copeland, Sr. was called to eternal rest.

Rev. Gerald Lee Copeland, Sr. was born in Waycross, Georgia on October 20, 1944. He was the third of 5 children born to Ms. Leila Juanita Copeland and Mr. John T. Copeland.

Rev. Gerald received his early education from Center High School in Waycross Georgia. After completing high school, Rev. Gerald then went into the United States Navy and served for several years. He then went on and made his path to the civilian workforce as a mechanic. He was an avid lover of motorcycles and cars, anything that was fast. 

As a child he became an active member of Greater Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church in Waycross, Georgia where he served on the Steering Committee, Trustee Board, Sons of Allen and other numerous committees.

His calling was not over. He then married the love of his life Elizabeth Copeland, his wife of 52 years and was truly a devoted family man.

In the Early 1970’s he attended Theological School where he received his license to preach. His first sermon was in 1976. Rev. Gerald Copeland became a pastor of his first church, which was St. Luke A.M.E. Church on St. Simons Island.  He pastored numerous churches over his lifetime. Rev. Gerald retired from the ministry at the age of 75 but was called back as an honorary pastor of Greater St. James A.M.E. Church.

Rev. Gerald’s life was full of love with all the grandchildren and great grands and the people that surrounded him. He was a pillar in the community serving on the boards of the Consolidated Men, the 100 Black Men, and his love of fishing was his past time.

 Preceding him in death was his mother Mrs. Leila Juanita Copeland, his father Mr. John T. Copeland, a brother Tommy Harris, and two sisters, Juanita Odessa Copeland and Sallie Ann Rawls. 

Those left to cherish his memory: his loving wife of 52 years, Elizabeth Copeland, Waycross, Ga; two daughters, Patricia Mobley (Tony) Bonaire Ga., and Ursula Copeland, Waycross, Ga., two sons, Gerald Lee Copeland, Jr. (Heather), Waycross, Ga., and Bryan Williams (Margie), Jacksonville, Fla.; one sister, Mattie B. McKinnon, Waycross, Ga. One aunt, Martha Mobley, Waycross, Ga. Two brothers-in-law: Henry Jordan (Orah), Waycross, Ga., Alfred Jordan, Perry Ga.; (17) Grandchildren, (15) Great Grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews and sorrowing friends.

Services of care and comfort entrusted to the caring professionals of Fluker Funeral Home 985 Ossie Davis Parkway, Waycross, Georgia 31501

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