Rickey Gene Copeland, 73 of Monette, entered his eternal home on Thursday, May 25th, 2023 surrounded by family and loved ones at St. Bernards Medical Center. Rickey was born on December 20, 1949 to Shirley "Nig" and Oma Prince Copeland in Manila. He was a 1967 graduate of Monette High School, and married his sweetheart, Sondra Kay "Sandy" Mangrum on February 22, 1971. Ten years later on March 25th, they welcomed their beloved only son, Joshua Kane. Rickey and his sisters, Linda and Shirley took pride in living on the same street, all three in homes built by their brother, Sonny.

Rickey served in the United States air force, including a deployment during the Vietnam War. He was honored as a Buffalo Island Central EAST Program Hall of Fame Veteran in 2019. Rickey attended college at Arkansas State University where he earned his masters degree in elementary education. He then became a teacher at the Monette School District, and retired from the Buffalo Island Central school district in 2007. Rickey loved supporting the Monette Buffalos, and later the BIC Mustangs basketball teams

Rickey spent his entire life serving his Lord and Savior. As an active member of the Monette Church of Christ, you could find him working at the church building many times throughout a normal week (or teaching his granddaughter, Allie, to drive in the parking lot). He and his wife, Sandy never missed a Sunday conducting a church service with the residents of Lane's Nursing Home. He made trips to India, where he spread the gospel with Brother Paul Renganathan, and taught many students at World Bible College. Rickey received the Region 8 GR8 Acts of Kindness award in 2019 for his service to his church and community.

Rickey and Sandy along with 3 other couples were the former owners of the Buffalo Island Jamboree, and played in the band there for many years. Rickey was a musician from the age of 2, being the "assistant drummer" to his father in the house band at the jamboree. Rickey enjoyed playing lots of music with various bands and musicians. His son, Josh, is a 3rd generation musician, and Rickey loved following Josh's bands over the years. You could also find Rickey, sharing his love of music with his sister, Linda, traveling to dances all over Northeast Arkansas, or volunteering his time, along with Robert Chambers providing musical entertainment at Monette Manor.

Along with his parents, Rickey was preceded in death by a brother, Emmitt "Sonny" Copeland, his mother and father in law, Fred and Lorene Mangrum and one niece, Cindy Copeland.

Survivors include his loving wife, Sandy of the home. His son Josh, of Monette, and the apples of his eye, his grandchildren: Allie Copeland (and her mother Jessica) of Manila, Aubree Copeland of Monette, and Brayden and Layney Copeland of Brandon, Mississippi. Rickey has two sisters, Shirley Copeland Taylor and Linda Copeland Morris, both of Monette, and one brother, Joe Copeland of Dallas Texas. He leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends- including a special niece, Stahr Couch (and her family), of Monette.

Services will be Saturday, May 27th at 11:00 am at the Monette Church of Christ, officiated by Donnie Mangrum and Josh Parnell, who the family wishes to thank for his constant support and love. The family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 am. Graveside services will follow at Monette Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Gregg Funeral Home of Monette.

Honored to serve as pallbearers are Brian Copeland, TJ Brickell, Cade Couch, Byron Sparkman, Kevin Baldridge, Blaine Higginbotham, Aaron Uthoff, and Taylor Mooney.

Honorary pallbearers include Elvis Poe, Dickie Pace, Robert Chambers, Larry Ladd, the members of the Monette High School class of 1967, all former band members of his and his son's, and the staff of Monette Manor.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes for donations to be made to the Monette Church of Christ, the Children's Home of Paragould, or the Northeast Arkansas Humane Society.