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MERRY HILL – Woody Ross Copeland, 76, of 801 Blackrock Road, died Sunday, March 28, 2021 in his home.

Mr. Copeland was born in Norfolk, Virginia on December 25, 1944, and was the son of the late Carlton Newby and Daphne White Copeland. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Carl Dean “Cotton” Copeland.

Woody lived most of his life in Merry Hill, growing up on the family farm, and graduating from Colerain High School. He went on to earn his Bachelors in Business degree from Atlantic Christian College, and Masters in Business Education and Masters in Business Administration from East Carolina University, (even though he was a diehard UNC Tar Heel fan). In earlier years while living in Edenton, he worked at Peoples Bank & Trust Company (now PNC), and later transitioned to teaching business courses at both John A. Holmes High School and Roanoke-Chowan College.

Woody had a gentle spirit and a big heart when dealing with people. He loved his Lord with all his might and served him the better portion of his life. An ordained minister, he pastored St. John’s Baptist Church in Ahoskie for many years, served as interim pastor of Greens Cross Baptist Church in Windsor, and served as a supply pastor, willingly going to preach God’s word wherever called. He was a member of Riverside Baptist Church.

Surviving are his wife of nearly 55 years, Phyllis Bunch Copeland; his daughter, Wendy Elizabeth Copeland of Cary; his son, Kevin Ross Copeland of Merry Hill; four grandchildren, Rachel Hoggard (husband, Shannon), Noah Jason Davenport, Luke Brian Davenport, and Kevin Ross Copeland, Jr.; and three great-grandchildren, Abigail Leah Copeland, Nathan Alan O’Neal, and Madelin Rose Hoggard.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 30, 2021 at 2 p.m. in Riverside Baptist Church and will be conducted by Pastors Gene Martin and Ricky Bishop. The burial, officiated by Pastor Gary Saffell, will follow in the church cemetery. No formal visitation is planned, however friends may visit with the family at the gravesite immediately following the service, or all other times at the residence. Masks and social distancing measures are encouraged for those attending.

Miller Funeral Home & Crematory, 735 Virginia Road, Edenton, is assisting the family with arrangements and online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.