Kenneth Wayne “Sam” Copeland, Jr.

Kenneth Wayne “Sam” Copeland, Jr., 50, of Versailles passed away at 10:10 a.m., Friday, August 23, 2024 at his home. He was born in Madison on September 22, 1973, the son of Kenneth and Earline Pennington Copeland. He was married to Amy Mathews on April 29, 2000 and she survives. Other survivors include two daughters Lauren Copeland and her fiancé Cole Gurrant of Washington, Missouri, and Cierra Copeland of Versailles; three sisters Carla (Steve) Miller of Osgood, Darla Copeland of Versailles, and Sandy Copeland of St. Paul; his father and mother-in-law Mark and Rosie Covington of Florence, along with several aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents. Sam was a 1992 graduate of South Ripley High School where he participated in basketball and track, still holding the school record for the shot put. Sam worked along side his father in Copeland Construction and Excavating for several years and had worked at UPS in Versailles for the last 23 years. He was also currently serving as Brown Township Trustee and was active in local Republican politics. Sam was very mechanically inclined and enjoyed working and riding on UTVs, but also enjoyed a good ball game on TV. Sam was a member of the Olive Branch Baptist Church. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, August 28 at 11 a.m. at the Olive Branch Baptist Church with Rev. Pat Lanman officiating. Burial will be in the Methodist Cemetery at Cross Plains. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles and from 10 a.m. until time of services Wednesday at the church. Memorials may be given to the Friendship Fire Department or the Olive Branch Baptist Church in care of the funeral home.