January 4, 2011

Curtis Barnes Copeland, 82, died Jan. 4, 2011, in Chesapeake.

He was the son of the late Fitzhugh and Doris Copeland. He was predeceased by his first wife, Sarah H. Copeland, and his brother, Howard T. Copeland.

Born is Suffolk, he retired from the United States Navy as a Captain and then was an executive with the Ford Motor Company for more than 50 years. He received his education from Chowan College and the University of Richmond and earned his MBA from Old Dominion University. He was a Master Mason, a 50-year member in Suffolk Lodge 30 and a Khedive Shriner.

He is survived by his wife Faye Little Copeland; children, Deborah C. Parker and husband Bill, Mitzi C. Gardner and husband Freddie, Clyde C. Copeland and wife Charlotte, all of Suffolk, and Tina C. Chavis and husband Don of Fort Smith, Ark. ; stepchildren, Eric Clary and wife Teresa of Suffolk and Lynn Sehl and husband Eddie of Virginia Beach; grandchildren, Shana R. Williams and husband Eric, William J. Parker, II and wife Christina, Kristi J. Bridges and husband Jason, Nathan R. Gardner and wife Sarah, Nicholas A. Chavis, Sara E. Chavis, Alexis Clary, and Ryan Roberson; great grandchildren Garrett M. Pierce, Grace M. Pierce, Emma L. Gardner and one on the way; a brother, Randolph T. Copeland; and a brother-in-law, Billy Ray Little.

A funeral will be conducted Friday, Jan. 7, 2011, at 2 p.m. in the R.W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home and Crematory, 509 W. Washington St., by the Rev. Dr. Norman K. March with burial in the Holly Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends in the funeral home Thursday, January 6, 2011 from 6 to 7 p.m. and other times at the home of Faye L. Copeland.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 6350 Center Drive, Suite #102, Norfolk, VA, 23502.

Condolences may be registered at www.rwbakerfh.com.