Vernon F. Copeland departed this life on August 28, 2016. He was born in Portsmouth, Virginia to the late Darien and Sallie Copeland. He attended the Portsmouth City Public Schools and graduated from I. C. Norcom High School. Upon graduation, he joined the United States Army and served a tour of duty in Korea. Following completion of his military service, he enrolled in A&T College (now North Carolina A&T State University) and earned a BS Degree in Biology and a MS Degree in Education Administration. Vernon, affectionately called "Cope", was a longtime member of Providence Baptist Church where he served in various capacities, and was most proud of and very committed to his involvement as a member of the Providence Mentoring Program for Black Male Students at Foust Elementary School. He worked diligently in his community serving as past President of the Dudley Heights Neighborhood Association and oftentimes as the Association's Chef. Vernon retired from the Orange County School System, Hillsborough, NC, after 30 years of service. He began his career as a Biology Teacher and was later promoted to Assistant Principal of Orange High School. For his unselfish service to others and constant concern for youth, He received the Administrator of the Year Award by the District 9 Division of Principals/Administrators of the North Carolina Association of Educators in 1990. Cope enjoyed playing golf, bowling in several Bowling Leagues and cooking. In addition to his parents, Vernon was also preceded in death by his sister, Lorraine Johnson, brother, Clifton Copeland; and goddaughter, Cassandra Shelton. He is survived by wife, Dorothy Copeland; daughter, Camillia Copeland Amouzou; son-in-law, Hugues Amouzou, Jr; and granddaughter, Camryn Marie Amouzou of Glendale Heights, IL; sister, Sallie Watkins of New Rochelle, NY; brothers-in-law, Freddie Ramsey (Viola) of Washington, DC and Donald Ramsey of Greensboro, NC; sister-in-law, Dora Drake of Greensboro, NC; and, a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. A service honoring his life will be held at Providence Baptist Church; 1106 Tuscaloosa Street Greensboro, North Carolina on Thursday, September 1, 2016 beginning at 12:00 pm. The interment will take place at Salisbury National Cemetery;202 Government Road, Salisbury, North Carolina 28144 on Friday, September 2, 2016 at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27405.