Joseph Edward Copeland

1936 - 2018

NEW YORK, NY - ALPHA: MAY 2, 1936 OMEGA: FEBRUARY 27, 2018 Joseph Edward Copeland exited from this life on February 27, 2018, leaving behind a legacy that is admired and respected by many. He was blessed with the ability to reach out to people of different cultures, races, positions, beliefs without judgment. He was voted the most friendly in his Huntington High school graduating class, a characteristic that described him throughout his life. He easily captured the love of many as he interacted with people. There was never a question who was the nucleus of a group of his closest friends. It was always Joe. He was once enviously described as having too many friends. He was generous with his resources and time as demonstrated by his forty-nine years of dedication to work of the NAACP where he served on the board of directors of the Mid-Manhattan Branch, and assumed the responsibility of treasurer for the branch and also for the Roy Wilkins Center. His work was described as having made the Center "a better organization on a strong footing for those following you". He was also an avid supporter of Historically Black Colleges and Universities and a devoted member of the Riverside Church in the city of New York. Joe was a product of Hampton Institute (now University) where he received his Bachelor degree and the New York Graduate School of Business where he majored in Accounting. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army and was honorably discharged in May 1968 as a First Lieutenant. After thirty-five years at CBS network working in finance and Corporate Real Estate, he retired and made physical fitness an important item on his agenda and became a gym addict. But most of all he was able to dedicate more time to pursue his passion, tennis. He always looked forward to his seat at the U.S. Open. There were those who opted to challenge him on the court often to their disappointment. He also found more time to train those aspiring to master the sport. He continued his travels around the world, South America, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, China and Russia. However he loved his City, New York, and was famous for taking advantages of its various cultural offerings. Joe was the second child of Clinso and Josephine Copeland of Newport News, Virginia. He loved and was deeply loved by a family dedicated to his well being. He leaves behind his brother, Clinso, Jr. and sister in law Marlene of Cary, North Carolina, Hattie B. and Daniel Harris, sister and brother in law of Newport News, Keith W. Witherspoon, nephew and wife Sandra, Sandra D. Witherspoon, niece and husband Dwayne Turner of Atlanta, Georgia, Sharon V. Pope, niece of Newport News, Virginia; Grand nieces, Raven Witherspoon of Richmond, Virginia, Shari Pope Williams of Herndon, Virginia, married to Kendra Williams, and a host of grieving friends. Joe's exit from our lives leaves a wound yearning to be healed. We look forward to our memories of the joy he brought to each of us, as a healing power. May he now be embraced by the love of God. The funeral will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, March 9, 2018 at Gethsemane Baptist Church located at 5405 Roanoke Avenue, Newport News, VA 23605. Interment to follow at Pleasant Shade Cemetary in Hampton, VA.