Dr. James Richard Copeland

COPELAND, Rev. Dr. James R., 91, of Henrico, entered into the presence of Christ our Lord on Monday, November 5, 2012. A faithful servant of God for over 52 years, a faithful husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was preceded in death by his sister, Mildred Eshelman. He is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Hattie P. Copeland; sons, Richard E. Copeland and wife, Marian, of Henrico, Robert L. Copeland of Richmond and James N. Copeland and wife, Gail, of Raleigh, N.C.; grandchildren, Rich, Valerie Williamson and her husband, Patrick, Rob Copeland and his wife, Kendra, Brian Copeland and his wife, Andrea, Stephanie Copeland and Michael Copeland; great-grandchildren, Jack, Alex, Savannah, Kate, Joel and Lily; numerous nieces and nephews. Dr. Copeland began his ministry in Richmond in 1947 at Ginter Park Baptist Church as Minister of Music along with his wife, Hattie, as organist. Dr. Copeland was a pioneer in an emerging church music profession in Virginia, featuring graded choirs for children and youth as well as an adult choir. Jim graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey. During Jim's 13 years at Ginter Park, he served as Director of Religious Education and Associate Pastor, having earned his Master of Religious Education degree from the Presbyterian School of Religious Education and his Bachelor of Divinity degree from Southeastern Baptist Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina. Dr. Copeland was ordained to the Gospel Ministry in 1958. One day while in his office praying for guidance, he asked God what he wanted him to do. God told him to go preach. During this time in Richmond, he was instrumental in starting Stukley Hall Chapel and Trinity Baptist Churches. In 1960, Dr. Copeland was called to the pastorate of Flagler St. Baptist Church in Miami, Florida. During that time a Chinese-speaking Church and a Spanish-speaking Church were established. He served as Moderator of the Miami Baptist Association. He was the first chaplain of the Miami Police Department and was an instructor at the police academy. Other civic duties included being president of a local Kiwanis Club and serving as a Commissioner of the Miami Housing Authority. In 1967 he assumed the Pastorate of Derbyshire Baptist Church where under his leadership the Cambridge Baptist and Gayton Baptist Churches were constituted, a Cambodian ministry was established, and a fellowship hall and a sanctuary were built. Dr. Copeland served as Moderator and on numerous committees for the Richmond Baptist Association. He was a member of the Virginia Baptist Board where he served as chairman of several committees. In 1976 he earned his Doctor of Ministry degree from Southeastern Baptist Seminary. He was well known in Virginia churches as a consultant for Capital fundraising. He led 37 Virginia churches to provide funds for new buildings. Dr. Copeland was a member of several Kiwanis Clubs in the Richmond area, accumulating 50 years of perfect attendance, serving as president of the West Henrico Club and Lt. Governor of the Capitol District. In his retirement, Dr. Copeland served as the Interim Pastor for six local churches. He participated in Partnership Evangelism and Preaching Missions in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Macau, Scotland, Tanzania, and Grace Baptist Church, Taipei, Taiwan. The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to the staff of nurses at Lakewood Manor for the tender way which they cared for Dr. Copeland. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, November 8, 2012 at the Parham Chapel, Woody Funeral Home, 1771 N. Parham Rd., Richmond, Va. 23229. A celebration of life service will be held 11 a.m. Friday, November 9, 2012 at Derbyshire Baptist Church, 8800 Derbyshire Road, Richmond, Va. 23229. Interment Greenwood Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in Dr. Copeland's name should be made to Derbyshire Baptist Church or James R. and Hattie Copeland Scholarship for Sacred Music, c/o Rider University, 101 Walnut Lane, Princeton, N.J. 08542.