Ronald Clyde "Ronnie" Copeland

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at Village Chapel for Ronald Clyde “Ronnie” Copeland, 79, of Rainbow City, who died on Monday, June 23, 2025. The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until the time of the service. Interment will be at 1:15 p.m., Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at Alabama National Cemetery, Montevallo. Ronnie was born, along with his twin brother, on December 1, 1945. He attended Baker Elementary School and Ensley High School. He grew up playing Little League, Pony League, and Colt League Baseball. He also played softball for years at Oakland Baptist Church. He enjoyed riding his Cushman Eagle for fun and his paper route. Later, he enjoyed his Harley. He felt the need to leave school because of the conflict in Vietnam to join the Navy. After being honorably discharged, he joined Birmingham Fire and Rescue, where he continued his lifelong pattern of showing up when it mattered most. Ronnie was married to his beloved wife Brenda for 44 years. She was the light of his life—a godly woman and the sweetest person you could ever meet. She stood by his side through many good times and many hard ones, always loving, always faithful, always true. Her strength and kindness were a source of peace and comfort for Ronnie. She wasn’t just his wife—she was his anchor, his partner, and his favorite person to pray with at night. Ronnie was a lot of things—brave, dependable, kind—but what many will remember most was that he was hilariously sarcastic. He had a dry wit that could sneak up on you and leave the whole room laughing. He didn’t sugarcoat anything—he told it like it was, and somehow still made you feel better about life while doing it. If Ronnie teased you, you knew you were in his circle. He had a way of mixing honesty with humor that kept everyone on their toes. His nephew, Adrian, always thought of Uncle Ronnie as the coolest Harley rider ever. Whether it was the rumble of the engine or the way he casually rocked his sleeveless blue jean jacket, Ronnie just had a natural swagger. He never tried to be cool—he just was. Adrian swears no one else could ride a Harley and look that laid-back while doing it. Ronnie would probably shrug and say, “Well, somebody’s got to set the standard.” Scripture Reading – 2 Timothy 4:7-8 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day…” Ronnie and Brenda had a beautiful tradition—each night before bed, they would say the Lord’s Prayer together. It was their quiet moment of peace, gratitude, and togetherness. In their honor, we pray it now, just as they did—replacing “day” and “daily” with “night” and “nightly”: The Lord’s Prayer (Evening Version) Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this night our nightly bread, And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, Forever and ever. Amen.

Ronald Clyde "Ronnie" Copeland

December 1, 1945 - June 23, 2025