Funeral service was at 1 p.m. Friday at Crestwood Chapel for Freddie Joe Copeland, 86, of Gadsden, who died January 8, 2014. The Rev. David Chandler officiated. Burial was in Crestwood Cemetery. Crestwood Memorial Funeral home directed services.
Mr. Copeland was a member of North Gadsden Baptist Church. He was a veteran of World War II, having served with the U.S. Navy Seabees. He had retired from Republic Steel after 40 years of service.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Willie Jo Copeland; sons, Ray (Louise) Copeland and Tom (Sherry) Copeland; daughter, Patsy (Jerry) Neely; grandchildren, Beth (Mark) Bigelow, Craig (Karen) Neely, Scott (Kelley) Copeland, Keith (Jessica) Copeland, Allen (Allyson) Copeland; and 11 great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to North Gadsden Baptist Church.
Pallbearers were grandsons.