Ernest E. Copenhaver, Sr., 80, passed away Friday, March 23, 2012. Mr. Copenhaver, along with his brother June, farmed livestock for over 62 years in the Lodi Community and had a great love for the beef industry. He served the Rock Spring Presbyterian Church as a Deacon and loved spending time with his grandchildren.
Ernest was past president of Big M Farm Services, served as the past president of Virginia Cattleman's Association, past board member of the National Cattleman's Beef Association, past president of Abingdon Feeder Cattle Association, past board member of the Virginia Cattleman's Industry Board and was a charter member of the Virginia Cattle Foundation Board.
Mr. Copenhaver received the Virginia Cattleman of the year award in 1988, Virginia Cattle Industry Service Award in 1996 and the Sunbelt Expo Virginia Farmer of the year in 1999. He was preceded in death by his parents Steward and Goldie Neese Copenhaver.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Alberta McCall Copenhaver; son, Gene (Jodi) Copenhaver of Meadowview, VA; daughters, Susie (Curtis) Lang of Rock Hill, SC and Cindy (Phil) Jones of Meadowview, VA; brother, Steward Copenhaver, Jr. of Meadowview, VA; sisters, Eula Roe of Meadowview, VA and Louise (Johnny) Gray of Adwolfe, VA; grandchildren, Matthew (Maggie) Hubble, Kevin Lang, Michael (Amber) Hubble, Lauren Lang, Brad Copenhaver, Will Copenhaver, Jaymee Copenhaver; great-grandchildren, Lucas, Grayson and Savanah Hubble.
Funeral services will be conducted 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 27, 2012 at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral & Cremation Service with Rev. Robert Thorton officiating. Burial will follow in Knollkreg Cemetery with the grandchildren serving as pallbearers. Honorary Pallbearers will be Bob Steele, Eddie Bailey, Fred Thomas, Reggie Reynolds, Joe Derting, Phil Blevins, Raymond Buchanan, Bill McKinnon, Butch Foster, Dr. Ernest Henry and the loafing buddies at Whittlin' Ridge and Osceola.
Visitation will be held 6-9P.M. Monday at Farris Funeral & Cremation Service. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to the National Kidney Foundation, 30 East 33rd Street, New York, NY 10016.
The family would like to give special thanks to Abingdon Dialysis Center, and Dr. Henry and staff for the care they have given the past several years.
The Copenhaver family is being cared for by Farris Funeral & Cremation Service, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210, (276)623-2700.