Odum, Ga. Ellis Shannon Copeland, 87 of Odum, Ga. died Tuesday, April 2, 2013 after an extended illness, under the care of Hospice of South Georgia. He was born in Odum, Ga. and was a member of Odum Baptist Church and had held many positions which included Sunday school teacher, trustee and chairman of the building committee. Shannon served his country as a U.S. Navy Veteran during WWII and was retired from ITT Rayonier after 32 years of service. He was one of the original members of the Altamaha Federal Credit Union, serving as their first committee chairman and also was on the Wayne Memorial Hospital Board. Favorite pastimes include, farming, raising livestock, supervising construction projects, family and doting on his grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ellis and Iza Poppell Copeland; a sister, Carrie Odum;a brother, Edwin Copeland. Survivors are his wife of 51 years, Virginia Sullivan Copeland of Odum, Ga.; 3 sons and daughters-in-law, Kenny and Rita Copeland of Screven, Ga., Ronnie and Kristi Copeland of Odum, Ga., Huey Copeland of Screven, Ga.; a daughter and son-in-law, Shanda and Chester Thompson of Odum, Ga.; 3 sisters and a brother-in-law, Betty Donahue, Derotha and Rev. Billy Livesay, Shirley Teston; 11 grandchildren, Steve and Monica Madray, Dallas and Britt Richey, Bess and Jason Brown, Kevin and Elizabeth Copeland, Kyle and Ashly Copeland, Korey Copeland and fiancé, Amanda Boothe, Cole Copeland, Cale Copeland, Daphne Gest, Chessica O'Banion and Richard Thompson; 17 great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be 11 A.M. Friday, April 5, 2013 at Rinehart and Sons Chapel with Rev. Joe Boyette, Rev. Stanley Todd and Wade Odum officiating. Interment will be in the Odum City Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Jay Donahue, Mike Copeland, Mickey Reddish, Wayne Reddish, Brad Reddish, Leonard Odum, Jeff Pearce, Ben Surrency and Carey Surrency. Honorary pallbearers will be Jim Bland, Freeman Bacon, Charles Pittman, Calvin Hayes, Wade Odum, Raynell Poppell, Rick Warren, Harold Wynn, Glynn Wynn, Clarence Kirkland, Dennis Poppell, Pat Aldridge, Rowland Dann, Butch Courson and the employees of Hospice of South Georgia. Visitation will be 6 to 8 P.M. Thursday, April 4, 2013 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials should be made to Hospice of South Georgia, 1625 Sunset Blvd, Jesup, Ga. 31545. Please sign the online guestbook at www.rinehartandsons.com. Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home of Jesup, Ga. is in charge of arrangements.