Former Campobello Mayor Ray Copeland dies at 95

After a period of declining health, former Campobello Mayor Ray Copeland died this week from a variety of health complications.

Copeland resigned as mayor in early September citing health concerns. He served on Campobello Town Council for 21 years before being elected mayor, a position he held for 13 years. Copeland helped establish the town's Fire Department and served as Campobello's postmaster for 33 years. He was 95.

"He loved life and lived to the fullest," Copeland's daughter Nancy Welch said. "His legacy will be remembered on how he was so willing to always help others. There's been an amazing outpouring of love for him."

Visitation will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday in the First Baptist Church of Campobello Family Life Center at 255 S. Main St., Campobello, followed by a celebration of life service in the church's sanctuary. Burial will be at Evergreen Memorial Gardens in Landrum.

Welch said her father throughout his life dedicated his time to serving God, family, country and community. Copeland always put others first, she said.

"I can't emphasize enough how he spent his life doing for others," Welch said.

Copeland never missed Sunday School in 63 years. Even when he traveled, Copeland would find a church where he could attend Sunday School so he wouldn't miss it. He was a member of the Landrum Masonic Lodge and was named the South Carolina Postmaster of the Year in 1991.

Ed Hershberger first met Copeland 33 years ago when they became members of the Landrum Masonic Lodge together.

"He was a great friend and the truest friend I ever had," Hershberger said. "He gave his all for the town and was dedicated to whatever he did."

Copeland had been living at Assisted Living Senior Care at Summit Hills in Spartanburg in recent months. Hershberger visited Copeland several times there to see his close friend. Their friendship remained strong through the years.

"There was never a time when I called him or he called me when we weren't there for each other," Hershberger said.

For 21 years, Don Cohenour and Copeland were neighbors on Highway 357. They could always count on each other for help. Cohenour affectionately called him "Mr. Campobello" because he always had the town's best interest at heart.

"He was the best friend I ever had," Cohenour said. "I never saw him get mad about anything, and he was the most even-tempered person I knew."

When Copeland resigned from office, Town Council members presented him with a plaque recognizing his years of service. Copeland was born in Landrum and moved to Campobello in 1953.

He was a member and held offices for the Campobello Men's Civic Group, the Lions Club, and the Boy Scouts. Copeland was also a World War II veteran.