Leroy Copeland, 66, of Gates County, N.C., passed away at his home Wednesday, April 28, 2004, after battling cancer. He was a son of the late Lillie Mae and George Thomas Copeland. He was also predeceased by his oldest son, Jimmy Lee Copeland.

He was a veteran in the United States Army, and then worked as a welder.

Leroy is survived by his loving wife, Margie Copeland; four daughters, Sally Stuckey, and husband, Terry, of Gates, N.C.; Virginia Hunnicutt, and husband, Jim, of Sedley; Judy Chappell, and husband, Craig, and Bernice Copeland, and her fianc\u00E9, Bill Creekmore, all of Suffolk; two sons, Leroy &uot;Pete&uot; Copeland Jr. of Suffolk, and George Copeland, and wife, Patricia, of Gates; 11 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two brothers, George T. Copeland and Earl Copeland, one sister, Mary Sue C. Robinson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He will be greatly missed by all who loved and adored him.

The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday in Parr Funeral Home by the Rev. Clarence Myrick. Burial will be in the Copeland Family Cemetery on Buckhorn Road.

Friends may join the family from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday in the funeral home, and other times at the residence.

Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 604 Constance Woods Dr., Suffolk, VA, 23434, or charity of choice.