Alfred Clayton Copley

Alfred Clayton Copley, 82, died peacefully at Bristol Regional Medical Center on Monday, June 24th, 2024 following an illness.

Al was preceded in death by his wife, Angelia “Angie” Copley, a son, David Brian Copley, a grandson, David Alexander Copley, two brothers, Carl (Pat) Copley and Bob (Phyllis) Copley, and one sister, Helen (Jim) Riffe.

Al leaves behind a loving family of two sons, Mark (Candy) Copley of Salem, IL, and John (Suzanne) Copley of Glen Allen, VA; two daughters, Trina (Chris) Rowe of Bristol, VA, and Amber (Kush) Mirani of Atlanta, GA, and one daughter-in-law, Michelle Copley of Summerville, SC; eight grandchildren, Jonathan (Caitlin) Copley of Abingdon, MD, Bethany (Ian) Littlejohn of Casey, IL, Megan (Al) Batiz of Moncks Corner, SC, Chelsea Copley of Charlotte, NC, Holden Rowe of Bristol, VA, Sarah Copley of Glen Allen, VA, Blakely Rowe of Bristol, VA, and Baby Boy Mirani, due in November; six great grandchildren, Caleb Batiz of Moncks Corner, SC, Camdyn Copley of Moncks Corner, SC, Harper Littlejohn of Casey, IL, Graham Littlejohn of Casey, IL, Noah Copley of Abingdon, MD, and Elijah Copley of Abingdon, MD; one brother, Dan (Marty) Copley; three sisters, Beulah Bias, Lois Kroll, and Freda (Norm) Leckie; and special neighbors, Bob Hardee and John Showalter.

Al was born in Crum, WV, in 1941. He graduated from Logan Senior High School in Logan, WV, in 1960 and married his high school sweetheart that year. He made his home for 61 years in Abingdon, VA, and resided in Woodland Hills for 51 years. Al was a coal miner for 18 years and was President of the United Mine Workers Local 1256 for many years. Al also owned multiple businesses in Abingdon, including the former Esso station, Al’s Premier Video, Paper Plus, and Premier Productions. He was also known for his support of youth and high school sports by his coaching of numerous Little League baseball and Youth basketball teams. He also enjoyed refereeing and umpiring Midget League football and high school sports for many years. In his later years, he loved announcing Abingdon High School Falcon football, baseball, and basketball games on WABN radio.

Al loved the Lord with everything he had and is known for sharing his testimony and witnessing to everyone he met. He was a member of Abingdon Church of the Nazarene where he served on the board and as Treasurer for many years. Al could often be heard saying, “When you’re down to nothing, you know that God is up to something!”

A funeral is scheduled for Sunday, June 30th at 10:30 am at the Forest Hills Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, 19415 Lee Highway, Abingdon, VA, with graveside services immediately following. His son, Pastor Mark Copley, will officiate the ceremony. Pallbearers will be Chris Rowe, Jonathan Copley, Al Batiz, Kush Mirani, Lee Schnelle, Holden Rowe, Sarah Copley, Camdyn Copley, and Blakely Rowe.

The family will receive family and friends on Saturday, June 29th at the Forest Hills Chapel from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Faith in Action, In Memory of Alfred Copley, PO Box 2419, Abingdon, VA 24212. The family would like to thank the staff of Brookdale Assisted Living and the nursing staff of 3 West at Bristol Regional Medical Center for the care given to Al.

The family of Alfred Clayton Copley is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service & Crematory, Forest Hills location, 19415 Lee Highway, Abingdon, VA 276-623-2700.