Bishop Dr. Richard Allen Copeland Obituary in Orangeburg at Simmons Funeral Home

Obituary For Bishop Dr. Richard Allen Copeland

Funeral services for Bishop Dr. Richard Allen Copeland, 71, of 146 Seminole Drive, Orangeburg, SC, will be held 11:00 am Friday, August 2, 2019 at St. Paul Baptist Church, 2259 Rowesville Road, Orangeburg, with interment to be held 11:00 am on Monday, August 5, 2019 at Fort Jackson National Cemetery, Columbia, SC. Bishop Dr. J.C. Watford is officiating.

Bishop Copeland will be placed in the church one hour prior to the service.

Bishop Copeland passed away on Friday, July 26, 2019 at Columbia VA Health Care System in Columbia, SC.

Bishop Copeland was born in Ehrhardt, SC and was the son of the late Richard Harold Copeland and Helen Bamberg Copeland. He was a graduate of SC State University, Orangeburg, with a B.S. in Counseling and Psychology; 1985 graduate of the Full Gospel Bible College of Coatesville, PA, where he earned his Doctorate of Divinity in Theology; as well as earning a Doctorate of Religious Philosophy in Christian Education from the Overcoming School of Religion, Columbia, SC, and he did further Studies at Frances Marion University of SC; as well as Biblical Hebrew studies with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

He was a member of Emmanuel COGIC (York, PA); founded Deliverance and Love Church (York, PA); pastored Holy Temple COCIC, Bamberg, SC and Greater Miracle Temple, Orangeburg, SC; and founded and pastored New Life Temple Outreach Ministries, Orangeburg, SC.

He was employed with the York, PA ambulatory service and was Counselor for School Districts in Florence and Orangeburg Counties.

He served his country honorably in the US Army during the Vietnam Era.

Bishop Copeland was the Jurisdictional Bishop of the SC Jurisdiction for the Church of God In Christ International. He was also the founder and chancellor of the New Life Theological Seminary and the Williams-Clemon-Davis Bible College. He was pastor and founder of the New Life Temple Church of God in Christ International, Orangeburg, SC.

He traveled internationally, especially to the continent of Africa, where he established churches in Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia and Trinidad. He was a published author and writer of six books: “Blood On The Razor’s Edge”, “Whom Say Ye”, The Foolishness Of Preaching”, “Black Pentecostalism”, “Grow Up Saints”, and “The Measure Of God’s Love”.

Bishop Copeland is survived by his wife, Ruthel Parker Copeland, Orangeburg, SC; his daughters, Catina M. Rosmond, Raleigh, NC, Anseanee C. Williams (Quincy) of North, SC and Richelle A. Melvin (Donald) of Columbia, SC; sisters, Theresa Copeland of Philadelphia, PA, Lyndia Ritter of Dover, PA and Pheobe Copeland of York, PA; grandchildren, Richard (Jamique) Copeland, Tyshaun Spencer, Dorian Campbell, Arryon Copeland, Emmanuel Spencer, Achonte Smith, Remaliah Smith and Xander Melvin; sister-in-law, Paula Copeland; brothers-in-law, Jessie Nimmons and Kent Ritter; Godson, Marcus Rayson of Columbia, SC; nieces; nephews other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held 12:00 noon – 8:00 pm, Thursday, August 1, 2019, with Joy night service will be held 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm at Simmons Funeral Home and Crematory of Orangeburg.

Family and Friends may call at the residence of his wife, Mrs. Ruthel Copeland, 146 Seminole Drive, Orangeburg, SC or Simmons Funeral Home and Crematory of Orangeburg.

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I got saved in the early days of Bishop Copeland's ministry in York. He and his wife opened their hearts, and shared their ministry and home with a group of young people.He took the members of Genesis under his wing, he thought us, and he believed in us. He helped me to build a spiritual foundation that still guides my life today. I can't begin to express the gratitude I have in my heart for him and his wife for the sacrifices they made for us, for me. I will be eternally grateful. LaVerne Worthey (Newman)

I got save under Bishop Copeland's early ministry in York. He opened his heart and shared the gospel and his home to a group of young people. He gave me a foundation in the gospel that still guides me decade later. My gratitude to him and his wife for the sacrifices they made to give us

Sir Richard, God took you in his loving arms, He saw you needed rest, His garden must be beautiful , For He only takes the best . Arlene H Wright,Silver Slippers Instructor

Deepest condolences to the Copeland family.Terry Wright

To The Copeland Family:With deep sorrow I give you my condolence as knowing that being Absence from the body is to be present with the Lord. May the life that Bishop Copeland had lived speaks for him knowing that he is now in a better place. No sickness, no pain, but rejoicing with the Lord. And may the Lord comfort be with you and your family. Submited sorrowfully Elder Samuel J Brown of Victory Temple COGIC, Int'l Brooklyn, NY

My Deepest Prayer of Condolences to Mrs. Ruthel Copeland and Family. Bishop Copeland will be missed. Whenever we talked on the phone about completing my dissertation/thesis I could feel his smile and laughter, and prayers telling me "you can do it" Thank you, Bishop Copeland. It was in deed a pleasure being a student of New Life Theological Seminary. You have graduated with the highest honors Bishop receive your Crown. May the Word of the Lord Comfort you, Mrs. Copeland and family and the LORD'S joy be your everlasting strength. Overseer Margaret M. King

We will always remember our talks with Richard, he always had a kind word and smile to share, also dancing with the Silver Slippers. Love, Ruth and Margaret Adams

Please accept my deepest condolences. Richelle your father was always the same every time I met him. He was always full of laughter and just a fun person to be around! You could see the love he had for your mom and actually all of you! Please know that God will continue to give you strength through all of this. I am praying for all of you. Much love to you❤️ Ethel