Funeral service for the Rev. J. T. Copeland, 73, of Hartselle will be Sunday, April 7, at 2:00 PM at Fellowship Baptist Church with the Revs. Dewitt Crowe, Dwight NeSmith and Ralph Henderson officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing.

The body will lie in state at the church for one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Johnson Chapel Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday, April 6, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the funeral home.

Rev. Copeland died on Friday, April 5, 2013 at his residence. He was born March 12, 1940, in Morgan County to James Theodore Copeland, Sr. and Mattie (Pittman) Copeland. Rev. Copeland had 50 years of service working for Sexton’s Inc. and worked in dry cleaning for 57 years. He was a Southern Baptist Minister for over 40 years and graduated from Morgan County High School in 1958. He was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. He loved his family and was involved in gardening and loved Auburn Football. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son: Roger Copeland, a brother: Hoyt Copeland, and two sisters: Laura Mason and Gayle Copeland.

In lieu of flowers, family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Fellowship Baptist Church Building Fund.Survivors include:

his Wife, Brenda Copeland, Hartselle, AL

One Son:

Danny Copeland (Susan), Hartselle, AL

Two Daughters:

Rhonda Legg (Steve), Hartselle, AL and

Sondra Malkmus (Artie Dutton), Hartselle, AL

One Sister:

Doris Rising, Buffalo, NY12 Grandchildren3 Great GrandchildrenPallbearers will be Adam Schrimsher, Caleb Murphy, Cody Brown, Tyler Legg, Brent Copeland and Josh Sartin.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Family and Friends.