Lee M Copeland

54, Lee Copeland, of Phoenix, AZ, passed away September 9, 2020. He was born July 8, 1966, to Clement O. Copeland and Naomi Bell in Wichita, Kansas.

Life was not easy growing up back in the ‘60s, but we made it work by the Grace of God and our late grandmother Sadie Verse.

Lee, a softhearted, caring young man, lived his life the way he wanted. He would help others if they needed it. He did not like to see anyone hurting or sick. If you knew him, you would have seen the softer, sensitive side of his feelings. When his mother became ill with cancer, it was a heartbreaking moment for him to see her that way. He enjoyed traveling with the family; when his dad would load everyone up to visit other members of the family in different states.
Every summer, Lee and Diane would travel to Wichita to spend time with their grandmother and their cousins. It was during these times he was at a happy place in his life. He was filled with so much joy during those summer months. He was a very quiet person and kept a lot to himself. Unless spoken to, he did not talk much. He had a close bond with his sister Diane and younger brother Ozell and knew he could count on them if he needed them. He had a much greater bond with his cousin Lisa and felt he could confide his deepest secrets.
He worked numerous places in retail, making friends at any place and at any time, everywhere.

He was an honor student all through grade school and high school. There was never a time he was not on the honor roll. Not having any issues with his grades, he also participated in cross-country and track, winning a few of his races.

As time went on, his health started going downhill. Having a stroke and diabetes started to take its toll, and chronic heart failure took his life

Survived by his sister; Diane (Daren)Gentry, brother; Clement II, (Columbia) Copeland, nieces; Keoni Gentry, Naomi and Kylise Copeland, nephew; Clement III. A host of aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Preceded in death by his parents; Clement and Naomi Copeland, grandfather;Rev. Zollie Copeland, grandmothers; Mattie Copeland, Sadie Verse, uncles; Christopher Bell Sr., Ronald Copeland, Jerry Bell, Lee Johnson, aunts; Patricia Bell, Annie Rose Johnson, cousin; Christopher Bell Jr., Lester Bell, Jerry Copeland.