Alvis "JoeBoy" Copeland, Sr. passed away peacefully on November 2, 2025, surrounded by loved ones. He was born on March 3, 1943, in Woodlawn, Texas, to the late Frank Copeland Jr. and Helen Hurd.

Alvis accepted Christ at an early age at Mt. Zion Baptist Church of Woodlawn, Texas, and later joined Zion Missionary Baptist Church. He proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1961 to 1964. After his honorable discharge, he returned home and began a new chapter in Michigan, working with General Motors and later dedicated himself to his craft as a skilled mechanic.

Alvis was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, cousin, and friend. He enjoyed working on cars, playing dominoes and horseshoes, fishing, shooting pool, and spending time with those he loved.

On August 3, 1965, he married the love of his life, Sadie Mae Williams, with whom he shared 61 beautiful years of marriage. Together they had four children: Alvis Copeland, Jr., Dedrich Copeland, Alfreda Copeland, and Levita Jackson, along with a bonus daughter, Veronica Beasley.

He is preceded in death by his parents, stepmother: Ruth Lee Jordan-Copeland, mother-in-law: Willie Mae Oliver, six brothers, and four sisters.

He leaves to cherish loving memories, his loving, devoted, and caring wife, Sadie Mae Copeland; his children, Alvis (Kelli) Copeland Jr., Dedrich (Cynthia) Copeland, Alfreda Copeland, and Levita Jackson; and his bonus daughter, Veronica (Chris) Beasley. He also leaves behind nineteen grandchildren and twenty-three great-grandchildren; his siblings, Fredrick Hurd, Frankie Walker, Sherel Hurd, Sandra Copeland, Jeane (Alex) Watson, Pearlie (Otis) Kirven, LaRue (Clifford) Jenkins, Doris Copeland, and Alice Copeland; as well as his sisters-in-laws, brothers-in-laws, and six very special nieces. He will also be remembered by a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends who loved him dearly.

Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, November 16, 2025, in the Chapel of Downs Funeral Home. Interment will take place at the Dallas National Cemetery in Dallas, Texas. A visitation for family and friends will be held 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Friday, November 14, 2025, at the funeral home.