Robert E. "Rusty" Copeland

Robert Eugene Copeland November 2, 1922 February 10, 2015 Robert Rusty Eugene Copeland, passed away on February 10, 2015he was 92 years old. Funeral services for Rusty will be 1:00 p.m., Saturday, February 14, at Emmanuel Baptist Church, at 1801 Gurley Street in Waco, Texas, with Revs. Marvin Thompson and Randy Hughes officiating. The graveside service will follow at Waco Memorial Park. Visitation for friends and family will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, February 13, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home, 6101 Bosque Blvd. in Waco. Robert Eugene was born in Chilton, Texas, on November 2, 1922. Rusty, baptized in a gravel pit in Falls County, was strong in his Christian faith, having accepted Jesus Christ into his life at the early age of 12. He attended high school in Gholson, Texas. He went on to serve his country in the United States Air Force during WWII, working on the B24 Liberator. He graduated from Baylor University in 1950 with a Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry. His career was spent primarily in the oil and gas industry. Rusty lived each day with an enviable zeal, enjoying every moment as if it was his last. He was a very unselfish man. Even in a frail physical state during the final hours of his life, his strength of character, dignity, and sense of humor shown through as did his appreciation for his caretakers and concern for the welfare of his friends and family. Rusty and Glendene were long-time members of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Waco. They were strong financial contributors to their church and various charitable activities in their community. As a couple, they were very steadfast in their Christian walk. Rusty was preceded in death by his wife, Glendene Copeland, who passed in 2001 the two had been married for 54 years. He is survived by his son and daughter in law, Robert and Lesa Copeland of Leander, Texas; and his daughter and son-in-law, Charlotte and Dan Adams of Amarillo, Texas; grandchildren, Michelle and Brandon Pleasants and their two children Zoe and Jude; Bobby Copeland, Layna Copeland, Keri Lynn Adams, and Hunter Adams; two sisters, Frances Tadlock of Dallas, and Laverne Birkes of Waco; and many nieces and nephews. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, please send donations to Cal Farley's Boys Ranch in Amarillo, Texas, PO Box 1890, 79174-0001 or Emmanuel Baptist Church in Waco, Texas. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WHBfamily.com.