WAYCROSS — Leon Terrell Coppage went to dwell with his Lord on Sunday, September 11, 2022. He passed away at Baptist Village where he had been residing since May 23.
Terrell was the son of Leon and Chloe Coppage, born in Lowndes County on April 28, 1928. At an early age, he and his family moved to Adel, Ga. Following Sparks-Adel High, he joined the U.S. Navy serving several years in WWII.
Terrell married Betty Jones on August 21, 1949. He worked at his father’s grocery store until he accepted a position with Armour and Company. In 1960, Terrell and his family moved to Waycross.
Mr. Coppage loved his churches. At Adel Methodist, he taught a junior boys’ Sunday School class, was in the choir and served in various other roles. In Waycross, he immediately became very active with the youth at Trinity United Methodist Church, teaching a Sunday School class and leading Boy Scout Troop 306 for many years.
For the church youth, he was instrumental in opening the Ward Miller Building weekly, cooking burgers and giving the youth a place to socialize. One of his highlights was taking Boy Scouts to the National Boy Scout Jamboree in Washington, D.C. in 1981. Receiving the prestigious Silver Beaver Award for his work in scouting was an honor for him. His greatest satisfaction was helping mold youth into being better citizens by spending time with them. A lot of men who were in his troops still tell of how “Big C” helped them.
Serving as Sunday School superintendent for many years at Trinity, he was lovingly called the “Cookie Monster.” One of his greatest pleasures was to see so many in Sunday School each Sunday. Other areas he served were as a “handy man” helping prepare the first “House of Hope,” president of the local and district United Methodist Men, delegate to Annual Conference and being a greeter and usher at church.
As a member of the Okefenokee Lions Club, Terrell was chosen “Lion of the Year” and served as House Captain for many years during the “Christmas in April” event.
Terrell and his wife enjoyed singing with the Keenager Choir, traveling with tour groups and visiting all of the 50 states. Daily walking with the “mall walkers,” which always ended up at McDonalds sharing biscuits, was a joy for him. Friday nights, he and his wife enjoyed dining out with friends as a way to celebrate their friendship. A superb gardener, he was known for his tomatoes.
Preceding Terrell in his death were his parents and two sisters, Evelyn Coppage and Inez Vittum. Mr. Coppage loved his family dearly.
Surviving are his wife of 73 years, Betty, his precious children: Dan (Cindy) and Amy (Buddy) Carter, four grandchildren: Ben (Allison) Coppage, Joel (Megan) Carter, Barrett (Halley) Carter and Travis (Kathleen) Carter. He also delighted in his eight great-grandchildren: Harris and Bette Coppage, Mary Margaret, Adelaide, Christopher, Bennett Anne, Catherine and Mary Emma Carter.
Services for Mr. Coppage will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, September 15 at Trinity United Methodist Church. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until time of the service. Internment will be at 2:30 p.m. at Fellowship Baptist Church in Hahira, Ga.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that contributions be made to Trinity United Methodist Church’s Maintenance Fund or a charity of your choice.
Sympathy may be expressed online at www.milesodumfuneralhome.com.
Miles-Odum Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
