Joe Thomas Copeland, 90, of Collierville, TN, passed away July 7, 2015. He was a WW II veteran of the United States Army. His service to his country led him to his passion of flying; and he later became a commercial pilot with Southern Airways / Republic Airlines, retiring after a 34 year career.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Icie Henderson Copeland; his wife Florence Killingsworth Copeland; two sons, Jeffrey Copeland and Freddie Copeland; two grandchildren, Jeff Copeland and Tony Chessor.
He is survived by three daughters, Jill Copeland, Crystal Copeland and Kathy (Tim) Coates; two sons, Tommy (Carolyn) Copeland and Jock (Jhoni) Copeland; eight grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be Monday, July 13 from 1:00 to 2:00 PM with funeral services following at 2:00 PM; all in the chapel of Memphis Funeral Home, 5599 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN.
The family requests memorials to be made to Germantown Baptist Church Worship Arts Ministry.
