Thomas Stephen "Steve" Copeland, 63, passed away August 11th at the Miss. Baptist Medical Center after a brief illness. He leaves behind many family members and numerous friends who will sorely miss him.

Steve grew up in West Jackson, where he graduated from Provine High School, and later earning a Bachelor's degree in business from Mississippi College. For much of his adult life he worked as a Service Advisor with several local dealerships, winning awards for his excellent service to his clients. Later on, he felt called to education, and was a regular substitute teacher with JPS, and taught on the faculty of several private academies in central Mississippi. He even completed some master-level courses in education at Belhaven University. Steve had recently taken early retired, but also worked part-time with Sam's Club in Pearl, with one of his JPS co-workers.

For those who got to know Steve, they soon learned he was a faithful friend, never shied away from doing the hard jobs, could definitely be a practical joker, but was also someone who didn't suffer fools. If he felt a friend was mistreated, he was the first to defend them. During his recent illness, it became obvious just how much Steve meant to so many; mountains of prayers and messages of concern are a testament to his caring nature for those he loved and that loved him. His pets, without a doubt, were his greatest passion.

Steve is preceded in death by his mother, Ethel Lae Copeland, his brother, Mike Copeland, and grandson, Dylan Copeland. He is survived by his children: Sean Copeland, Jason (Michelle) Copeland, Caye (Wesley) Carraway, and Nathan (Nikki) Copeland; his grandchildren (to whom he was known as "GG"); Tristan, Keira, Hannah, Addison, Parker, Cullen, Beckett, Fallon, Mason and Rivers; his father, Thomas W. Copeland; and numerous cousins – AND four fur-babies: Harley, Rainey, Tobey and Sadie.

I have counted it a privilege to know Steve for over thirty years. He will leave behind a huge void in the lives of those he cared for. – Sam Puckett

A visitation will be held at Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home, Clinton, Miss., Saturday, August 14, 2021, from 2-3 pm with a graveside service following at Clinton Cemetery.