Kenny Copeland
Kenneth “Kenny” Cecil Copeland passed away May 26, 2026, in Texarkana, Texas. He was born September 7, 1949, in Texarkana, Arkansas, the son of Vashita Quillin and Harrison Paul “Sleepy” Copeland. He was a graduate of Texarkana’s Texas H...
September 7, 1949 – May 26, 2026
Kenneth “Kenny” Cecil Copeland passed away May 26, 2026, in Texarkana, Texas. He was born September 7, 1949, in Texarkana, Arkansas, the son of Vashita Quillin and Harrison Paul “Sleepy” Copeland. He was a graduate of Texarkana’s Texas High School class of 1967.
Kenny was a natural born athlete and excelled in sports throughout high school and maintained a commitment to physical fitness throughout his life. That served him well when he completed training to serve his country as a member of the United State Marine Corps.
He returned to Texarkana and attended college at East Texas State University, where he graduated with a degree in Mathematics.
Kenny’s love of Texarkana and serving others led him to a career in the Texarkana Texas Fire Department, where he performed a variety of roles and ultimately retired as the department’s Battalion Chief. He leaves behind over a 35-year legacy of service to his community. He retired in 2016 and was later honored with a special ceremony recognizing his decades of dedication.
Kenny truly loved his career, community and family. He was well-versed in a variety of subjects including history, music, travel and sports. In many ways, he was like the Mark Twain of Texarkana, sharp, quick-witted and always had numerous stories to tell. He never met a stranger and was deeply loyal to those he loved. Kenny would always answer the call of anyone in need. He also had a lifelong love of animals and they of him.
He peacefully passed with his loving daughter, Natalie, by his side.
Kenny is preceded in death by his father, Harrison Paul Copeland; stepmother, Vivian Copeland; mother, Vashita Quillin; brother, William Paul Copeland; sister, Peggy McLelland; sister, Linda Dierks; sister, Dorothy Stout; sister Rita Kirvin; and sister, Bettye Morgan.
Kenny is survived by his daughter Natalie Copeland (Texarkana), his dog Otis, and numerous nieces, nephews, and special friends Gerry and Pat Larsen.
Visitation will be held on Friday, May 29, 2026, from 5:00 PM- 7:00 PM at Texarkana Funeral Home-Blvd. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM, Saturday, May 30, 2026, at Hardy Memorial Church.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to The Retreat at Kenwood, Concho Hearts Hospice, and the Texarkana Texas Fire Department.
Courtesy of Texarkana Funeral Home.