Everett Delano Copeland

Mr. Everett Delano Copeland, age 81, passed away on Sunday, October 9, 2022 at his home in Smithville where he had lived for 42 years. Funeral services are planned for 11:00 AM on Thursday, October 13, from the graveside at Smithville Cemetery. Dr. Emil Askew will officiate. The family will receive friends at the cemetery following the services. He was born to Hattie Belle Garrison Copeland and Curtis Copeland on October 1, 1941 in Helena, GA. Everett was an extremely talented athlete and played on two high school state championship basketball teams with Telfair County High School in 1960 and 1961, and was named to the Georgia State All-Star team both of these years. He attended South Georgia College in Douglas on a basketball scholarship from 1961 to 1963 and attended South Georgia Technical Institute in Americus on a basketball scholarship in 1964. He continued to enjoy sports and played on area church league and city league softball teams for many years. He loved animals, yard work, hunting and fishing. His greatest joy in life was his five beautiful girls whom he loved with all his heart. Everett worked for Ford Motor Company in Hapeville, GA and was plant manager for Kaisar Agricultural Chemical Corporation. He retired from the Georgia Department of Corrections where he worked from 1986 until 2006. He served in the Georgia National Guard Army Reserves and was discharged in 1970, was a member of Smithville Baptist Church, and in recent years had been attending Chickasawhatchee Baptist Church. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister and a brother, Norma Elliott and M.C. Copeland. Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Claudia McRee Copeland; a son, Clay Copeland; a daughter, Rebecca Stillwell (Ray); a daughter-in-law, Melanie Copeland; three granddaughters: Sydney Copeland, Maddy Copeland, and Riley Jane Stillwell; brother, Don Copeland (Connie); sister, Emmajean Williams (Grady); and brother-in-law, Chris McRee (Margie). For those wishing to do so, memorial contributions are suggested to a charity of choice. To sign our online guestbook and express your condolences to the family, please visit www.hancockfuneralhomeinc.com Hancock Funeral Home, 427 S. Lee St., is honored to be entrusted with these arrangements for Mr. Everett Delano Copeland.