Cecil Gleason Copeland, age 93, of West Monroe passed away in the early hours of Wednesday, April 2nd, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Gleason was born to H.D. and Ruby Copeland on January 12th, 1932, in Eros, Louisiana. His life was marked by unwavering faith, humble service, and quiet greatness. To know him was to encounter the love of God—steady, kind, and without pretense.

Gleason was preceded in death by his first wife and beloved mother of his children, Betty Copeland, his parents, H.D. and Ruby Copeland, and his sister, Nellie Fae. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Mary Ann Copeland, who stood faithfully by his side, especially through these last several arduous years of declining health. With grace and resolve, Mary Ann cared for Gleason with a love that remains both fierce and tender. She approached every day with him as a privilege, believing she had been chosen to walk this path together, and she did so with extraordinary devotion. The family is also forever grateful to Mary Ann’s daughters and grandchildren, who generously gave up time with her so she could be by Gleason’s side. Their sacrifices will never be forgotten.

Gleason is also survived by his children: Glenn (Margaret), Donnie (Sweetpea), Jay (Alisha), and Darla (Eric); eleven grandchildren—Ashley, Cory, Cody, Coby, Zach, Macey, Taylor, Sydney, Baxter, Kailey, and Adelie—and fourteen great-grandchildren. His siblings—Bill, Don, Tommy, Johnny, Joyce, Bonnie, Mary, Lennie, and Vicky—remain a cherished part of his large and loving family.

Gleason’s family would like to acknowledge the exceptional care Heart of Hospice provided Gleason in his final months as well as extend their warm thanks to his caregivers: Ginger Clampit, Shelley Mayeux, Sheleka Barnett, Bailey Bruce, Kayla Hatfield, Derrick Williams, and Savannah Hipp as well as volunteers Darinesha and Asiyah.

Gleason worked faithfully for 44 years at what is now Graphic Packaging in West Monroe, where he was admired for his consistency, humility, and strength of character. But his greatest impact was made in his ministry to others—a ministry lived not from behind a pulpit, but in neighborhoods, hospital rooms, prison cells, and nursing homes.

He spent years walking door-to-door with his dear friend Bro. Billy Brown, inviting families to church and offering hope to strangers with a warm smile and a heart full of faith. Later, he partnered with Bro. Charles McQuillin to minister to the sick and elderly, bringing prayer and encouragement into homes, hospitals, and care facilities. He also carried a deep burden for those behind prison walls, regularly ministering to the incarcerated and reminding them that God’s grace knows no limits.

Gleason served faithfully as a board member of The Pentecostals of the Twin Cities, where his wisdom, steadiness, and spiritual insight left a lasting mark. He also served with integrity on the board of Centric Credit Union, a role in which his trustworthiness and dedication were unmistakable.

To those who knew him—whether briefly or for a lifetime—Gleason Copeland was the embodiment of what it means to be a true Christian. His greatness was not found in titles, possessions, or pedigree, but in a life lived faithfully before God. His kindness was constant, his love unconditional, and his life an open invitation to know the God he served.
His legacy endures in the faith of his children and grandchildren, in the lives he touched, and in the quiet resolve of a life well-lived. He was a living example of not only what it means to believe, but how to live—humble, faithful, and full of love.

Honoring Gleason as active pallbearers will be Chance Caston, Wayne Hendricks, Rodney Parker, Timothy Guerrero, Daryl Rawls and Bruce Hemphill. Honorary pallbearers will be Mike Clampit, Charles McQuillin and David Wiltcher.

A funeral service of celebration will be held for Gleason at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, April 4, 2025, at The Pentecostals of the Twin Cities with interment following at Kilpatrick’s Serenity Gardens cemetery. Pastor Jason Ramsey, Bishop Mark Foster and Pastor Donnie Copeland will officiate. Visitation will be held at The Pentecostals of the Twin Cities on Thursday, April 3, 2025, from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M.

Services are under the direction and care of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of West Monroe.

Online condolence messages may be sent to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com.

Kilpatrick Funeral Homes
West Monroe, LA

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