Rev. Marvin Hugh Copeland, 93, of the Broomtown Community in Gaylesville, AL, passed away Thursday, July 9, 2026, in Virginia Beach, VA.

He was an army veteran and a 30 plus year member of the Teamsters Union Local 515.  He was also a Baptist Minister for many years and pastored several churches.  Hugh was a man known and loved by many.

Rev. Copeland was born March 4, 1933, in Jamestown, AL, son of the late Elijah Copeland and Minnie Belle Reynolds Copeland.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Geraldine Norton Copeland; great-grandson, Elijah “Eli” Sauls; step-grandson, Derek Duncan; brothers, Homer (Jewel) Copeland, Gene (Virginia) Copeland, John (Helen) Copeland, Ralph Copeland, and twin brothers, Roy and Loy Copeland; sisters, Tennie (Elgin) Anderson, Ruth (Dan) Stanley, Dorothy “Dot” Jones, Etta Mae Copeland, and Evelyn Copeland.

Survivors include his sons, Pete (Jane) Copeland, Sam (Dena) Copeland; a daughter, Anita Pendergrass; 8 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 4:00 P.M. Saturday, July 18, 2026, from the Mason Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Paul Martin and Rev. Danny Stewart officiating.  Interment will follow in Moseley Cemetery with military honors provided by the American Legion.  Active pallbearers will be Pete Copeland, Davin Roberts, Michael Dilbeck, Phil Crane, Jimmy Leffler, James Sutherland, Ryan Sauls, and Drew Duncan.  Honorary pallbearers will be Isaac Roberts, Tim Railey, Jesse James Brooks, Chris Railey, and Lewis Railey.

Rev. Copeland will be in state at Mason Funeral Home and the family will receive friends from 2:00 P.M. until the hour of service on Saturday.

Joshua Jones, 39, passed away unexpectedly on July 4th, 2026, leaving behind family, friends, colleagues, and a community who will forever miss his larger-than-life presence.

Josh began his career with the Georgia Department of Corrections in 2007 as a Correctional Officer at Walker State Prison. He rose through the ranks, serving as Sergeant, Tier II Lieutenant, Tier II Unit Manager, and Deputy Warden of Security before being appointed Warden of Hays State Prison in July 2023.  His career in corrections was a responsibility he always took seriously. He cared deeply about protecting the staff he served alongside, the community at large, the individuals in his care, and advancing a mission he believed in wholeheartedly. He led with conviction, integrity, and a genuine desire to leave things better than he found them.  He often joked that he started his career “with five years of high school.”  Although said with self-deprecation, it was a reminder of a life he built out of hard work, determination, and grit.

Anyone who knew Josh knew his sense of humor was one of a kind. He had a gift for reading a room and knowing exactly what was needed-whether that was a serious conversation, encouragement, a sarcastic comment, or a little playful instigation to get a reaction and make people laugh. His humor was one of the many ways he built connections and made people feel like they belonged.

Outside of work, Josh knew how to enjoy life and never needed much convincing to have a good time. He loved fishing, great food, good bourbon, traveling, poker, spending time with family, telling stories, and cheering on the Tennessee Volunteers-even when it was at his own emotional detriment.  One of Josh’s greatest joys was coaching little league football. He poured his passion, competitive spirit, and desire to help others into young athletes, building confidence, encouraging teamwork, and sharing the experience with his son and daughter. He loved the opportunity to positively influence the lives of those in his community.

Above every title he held and every accomplishment he achieved, Josh loved his wife, Haley, fiercely and was deeply devoted to his family. He believed one of his greatest responsibilities was preparing his children for life. He sought to instill in them the values of hard work, personal responsibility, integrity, respect for others, and perseverance, hoping to help them grow into kind, capable, and honorable adults.

Though our hearts are broken, we find comfort knowing that Josh’s legacy of laughter, service, sacrifice, leadership, and love will continue through his children, family, friends, colleagues, and the countless lives he influenced.

He leaves behind his wife, Haley; his children, Jack, Ava, and Piper; his mother, Josie Nichols (William Layfield); his father, Jeff (Rhonda) Langley; grandparents, Janet Goins, Virginia Langley, and Ron and Glenda Turner; his sister Jessica (Emily) Cartwright; siblings Ethan and Jessica Tripp; along with several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins; GDC family and colleagues, friends, and a community who will miss him dearly.  He was preceded in death by grandparents John Jones, Jr Langley and great grandparents William and Josephine Jones and Lelion and Frances Lizana.

A memorial service to celebrate the life of Warden Jones will take place at 4:00 PM Saturday, July 18 at Crosspointe City Church located at 325 Old Mill Rd. Cartersville, GA 30120.

The family will receive friends Saturday (July 18) from 1:30 PM until the service hour at the church.