Clifford E. Copeland

Mr. Clifford Eugene Copeland, age 86, of Atlanta, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 7, 2017. Mr. Copeland was born in Cullman, Alabama and was the third of six children born to James Riley Copeland and Lelia Elouise Hulsey. He was married on August 31, 1958 to the love of his life, Jeanne Elizabeth Davis.

Following graduation from high school, Mr. Copeland joined the US Air Force and served in the Security Division in Germany during the Korean War. Throughout his tour, Mr. Copeland was also a member of the United States European Championship Basketball Team. Upon discharge, Mr. Copeland played for the Cleveland Indians minor league club for a short time as a pitcher. He attended Saint Bernard College and then finished his college education at Howard College of Pharmacy in Birmingham, graduating with a BS degree in Pharmacy. After a brief stay in Alabama, Mr. Copeland moved his family to the Atlanta, Georgia area where he resided the rest of his adult life. Mr. Copeland was the founder of Copeland Drugs, Inc., one of the first discount retail pharmacy store chains in the southern United States. In addition to managing his growing company, Mr. Copeland enjoyed coaching his children in sports, deep sea fishing, golf, and later in life, bird watching. Mr. Copeland was a devoted member of First Baptist Church Atlanta for over 40 years. His tremendous faith in God’s plan for his life allowed him to live fearlessly, full of hope and determination. Mr. Copeland served as an inspiration to those fortunate enough to know him. As believers, we celebrate his life here on earth and are certain in the knowledge, as he was; he is now reunited with Jeanne in heaven.

Mr. Copeland is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 58 years, Jeanne Davis Copeland; sister, Francis Copeland Walker; brother, James Riley Copeland, Jr.; brother, Wade Carol Copeland; and brother, Luther Wayne Copeland. Mr. Copeland is survived by his son, Clifford Eugene “Cal” Copeland , Jr. and his daughter-in-law, Alexandra (Dallas) Copeland; daughter, Cynthia Copeland Hodge and son-in-law, David Pendleton Hodge; grandchildren, Jordan Hodge, Aubrey Hodge, and Davis Hodge; brother, Donald Winfred Copeland and sister-in-law, Brenda Pearson Copeland. The family will hold a private memorial service. Memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Atlanta - Missions, 4400 North Peachtree Rd., Atlanta, GA 30338 OR Homes for Our Troops, 6 Main Street, Taunton, MA 02780.