Odessa Jernigan Copeland, 99, of Enigma passed away Thursday, May 29, 2025, at the Rehabilitation Center of South Georgia in Tifton. A graveside funeral service will be held for Mrs. Copeland at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, June 1, 2025, at Brushy Creek Church Cemetery in Irwin County, where she will be laid to rest. The Rev. Steve Davis will officiate.
Bobby Brown, Lance French, Jeff Jernigan, Jerry White, Trey Woolery, Gavin Woolery, Tripp Fritzgerald and Joey Copeland will serve as pallbearers.
Born September 24, 1925, in Berrien County, Mrs. Copeland was the daughter of the late Claude Jernigan and Mirriam McMillan Jernigan. She was also preceded in death by her husband, James Copeland; two sons-in-law, Raymond Wilson and Greg Moore; one grandson, Ray Wilson; three sisters; and three brothers. Before retiring, she worked at Mastercraft and Walmart; and she was the oldest member of Brookfield Baptist Church.
Mrs. Copeland is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Tim and Debra Copeland of Marble, North Carolina; three daughters and one son-in-law, Jenifer Wilson, Jimmie Moore and Gwen and Leon Pate, all of Tifton; four grandchildren, Haley Wilson Fitzgerald, Jerry White, Mandy Woolery and Samantha Copeland; and seven great-grandchildren, Tripp Fitzgerald, Callie Fitzgerald Jones, Gavin Woolery, Ashlyn White, Ava Woolery, Anna White and Addison White; and three great-great grandchildren, Stetson Fitzgerald, Walker Fitzgerald and Tripp Jones, coming soon.