Joseph Rudolph Copeland

Joseph Rudolph "Rudy" Copeland

Joseph Rudolph "Rudy" Copeland, 87, died Friday, February 13, 2009, at Rich Square Health Care Center.

Rudy was born on June 25, 1921, to Julia Ota Mathews Copeland and Joseph F. Copeland in Murfreesboro, North Carolina.

A life long member of the Mount Tabor Baptist Church in Murfreesboro and a veteran of World War II, Rudy was a successful distributor of publications, president and owner of Paul's Inc., and president and co-owner of City News Inc., both of Charlottesville, Virginia, prior to his retirement in 1994.

Rudy was married to the late Dorothy Strange Copeland for 46 years prior to her death in 1994.

He is survived by his second wife of 13 years, Louise Phipps Copeland of Murfreesboro; his daughter, Carole Lohman and her husband, Leonard, of Charlottesville; his son, Jon Marc Copeland of Richmond, Virginia; his stepdaughter, Kathy Brett; his stepson, George Randall Copeland and his wife, Cindy; his stepdaughter, Karen Cavin and her husband, Scott, all of Murfreesboro, and six grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to United Hospice of Eastern Carolina, 301 South Church Street, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. There will be a private inurnment for the family and close friends at Arlington National Cemetery early in March.

Sykes Funeral Service of Rich Square is handling the arrangements.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at sykesfuneralservice.com.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.