Prentice Copeland

Funeral services for Prentice Copeland will be held Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at 11 a.m. from Sandtown Methodist Church with Bro. Kiah Kitt, Bro. Lawrence Pool and Bro. Kim Poe officiating. Burial will follow in Sandtown Cemetery. Visitation will be held Tuesday, May 6, 2025 from 5-8 at McClain-Hays Funeral Home.

Roger “Prentice” Copeland, 98, of Philadelphia, passed away on Sunday, May 4, 2025 at his home in Neshoba County.

Prentice was born on September 22, 1926 to Linard and Effie Copeland. He graduated from Bond High School in 1945 and married the love of his life, Dorothy Ree Irons, in October 1945. He then served two stints in the U.S. Army, serving in World War II between 1945-1946, and then again in the Korean Conflict between 1950-1951. After his discharge he then attended East Central Community College and Mississippi Southern where received his B.S. and Masters Degrees, and advanced work in Mathematics and school administration.

Prentice began his teaching and coaching career in 1952 at Coldwater High School for 2 years before moving to Zephyr-Hill High School and then on to Neshoba County High School after school consolidation. He was then appointed the first high school principal of the consolidated school. He was later elected and served as the County Superintendent of Education until his retirement in 1988, with thirty-seven and a half years of service in the Neshoba County School System.

He served on the Board of Trustees of the East Central Community College for over 55 years. Prentice was an active member of Sandtown Church, where he taught Sunday School for many years as well as was a member of the administrative board. He was a master mason for over 60 years serving as chairman of the board of 15 years. But the highlight of his career was serving as County Superintendent of Neshoba County Schools, the school that he loved so much. He cherished his students, teachers, and the many friends of which meant so much to him.

Survivors include his sons, Lynn (Kay) Copeland and Rex (Diane) Copeland; five grandchildren, Brad (Hollie) Copeland, Lisa (Brad) Gray, Butch (Amy) Copeland, Chris (Valarie) Copeland and Justin (Kelly) Copeland all of Philadelphia; 12 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Mary Breland and Nancy (Gerald) Covington; a host of nieces and nephews.

Mr. Copeland was preceded in death by his loving wife, of 67 years, Dorothy Ree Irons Copeland; parents, Linard and Effie Copeland; sister, Elvie Hudson, Verdis Copeland and Vadis Teer; brothers, Edwin, Bernis, Delbert and Arlon Copeland.

Pallbearers: Jerry Anderson, Josh Burt, Tim Breland, Chad Copeland, Sandy Joe Irons, Verandal Irons, Willie Earl Irons and Kyle Robertson.

Honorary Pallbearers: Edsel Cliburn, Ricky Goldman, Jerry Smith, David Byars, Leo Parker, Billy Joe Horn, Paul Thomas, V.C. Manning, Hugh Winstead, Linda Crawford, Gerald Winstead, Lige Fulton, Ross Williamson and Tracy Cumberland