Clifton Copeland, 83, of 1010 Truman Road, Suffolk, died Monday, March 3, 2014, at Sentara Obici Hospital. He was a native of Nansemond County and the son of the late Harry Copeland and Ora Copeland. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Valerie J. Elliott; one son, Rudolph A. Copeland; and one brother, John Axon Copeland.

He attended the Norfolk Naval Shipyard Apprentice School. Mr. Copeland retired from Norfolk Naval Shipyard after 33 years of service. He was a member of Zion Christian Church, where he was a member of the Trustee Ministry, Usher Ministry Emeritus, and Sunday School. He was a life member of the NAACP, East Suffolk Gardens Civic League and Odd Fellows Silver Queen Lodge.

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Selena Copeland; one daughter, Elder Hilda Montgomery; two sons, Randolph A. Copeland (Melissa) and Michael B. Copeland (Karen); Shelby Counts “Rusty”; three sisters, Mary Alice Whitfield, Marie Whitfield and Thelma Copeland; one brother, Lorenza Copeland (Evelyn); 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 8, 2014, at Zion Christian Church, 5200 Quaker Drive, Suffolk, officiated by the Rev. Ben Fitzgerald. Interment will be in Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, Monday at noon. Crocker Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Condolences may be extended to the family at www.crockerfuneralhome.com.