Pastor J. W. Copeland

November 22, 1926 - May 5, 2022

Jess Willard Copeland Sr was born November 22,1926 in Okemah, Oklahoma to Otis Lee and Rosie Ellen (Henson) Copeland and passed from this life on May 5, 2022 at his home surrounded by his family. Willard had 6 brothers and sisters before Rosie died when he was 7. Otis remarried Mary Marshall and Willard gained 3 more brothers and sisters. Willard spent most of his life growing up in and around Cherokee County Oklahoma. Willard met and married Eula Ann Kilpatrick and to this union 11 children were born, Shirley, Willard Jess Jr, Ruby, Jimmy, Phillip, Phyllis, Richard (Dickie), David, Brenda, Vicki, and Joe. When Willard was 18 he registered for the select services and was later called up to the Army where he remained for 1 year. At the age of 19 Willard was saved by the Lord Jesus Christ where he remained devoted for the next 76 years. Willard who later became known to many as “Pastor” was the pastor of Harvest time Tabernacle for 44 years where he touched many lives and introduced many people to God. For many years Willard and Eula would load up the kids and travel to Oregon where he worked and was a member of the carpenter’s union while Eula and the kids picked crops. They would always return to Oklahoma where they had made their home on Copeland Hill in Lost City and where he lived until Eula’s passing in 1993. He later married Judy Ann (Bailey) Shankles where they made their home in Tahlequah and he gained 4 more children, Curtis, Carl, Mike and Marsha. Judy helped Pastor to continue his ministry to the church always being there by his side. As a pastor he prayed with many people and touched many lives in his own church and many churches all over Oklahoma. You always knew no matter what time of the day or night if you needed Pastor he was there either over the phone or at your side. He went many years to Alabama for revivals with Brother Arnold. He traveled to Mexico to dedicate a church and witness to the people there also. Pastor spent many hours on his knees praying. He was a truly blessed man of God and being a man of God was his life. Pastor had a voice that when you heard it you stopped and listened. He never needed a microphone to preach the word of God. The last year of his life he was on Good Shepherd Hospice and made very special friends in Amanda, Mariah, and Michelle. They were able to help him and Judy through his end of life journey, where he claimed his eternal life with Jesus and all of his family that greeted him at the pearly gates of Heaven. He will be greatly missed by all that knew him. Willard was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers and sisters Henry, Helen, Earl, Annabelle, Franklin, Chester, Alta Faye and Louise. His 8 chilrdren Phillip, Richard(Dickie), Ruby, Jimmy, Brenda, Shirley, Jess, and Vicki and his wife of 49 years Eula Ann and 3 grandchildren Jimmy Ray, Megan, and Kelli. He is survived by his wife Judy Copeland of the home, children Phyllis (Gary) Clinton and Joe (Cindy) Copeland all of Hulbert, and David (Lisa) Copeland of Tahlequah, Daughter in laws Joyce Copeland and Brenda Morgan of Hulbert, Son in law Randall Collins of Hulbert, Curtis (Gloria) Shankles, Carl (Beverly) Shankles, Marsha (Andrew) Clinton all of Tahlequah, and Mike Shankles of Claremore. He leaves behind a legacy of 41 grandchildren, 69 great grandchildren, 39 great great grandchildren. 1 brother Bobby Copeland of Coweta. Numerous other nieces, nephews, cousins and church family members. All that knew Pastor will miss him dearly.