Mr. Billy Roy Cope, 79, of McMinnville died Saturday, Nov. 30, at his residence.

He was born Feb. 28, 1940, in McMinnville, was a retired environmentalist with the state of Tennessee, and a life-long member of Gath Baptist Church where he served as a Sunday school teacher. Mr. Cope was preceded in death by parents Tolbert and Rubie Denton Cope, grandchild Jacob Tyler Lanier, and brother Aubrey Cope.

Survivors include his wife of 51 years Carol Dean Ralph Cope, daughters Sherry (Don) Lance of Murfreesboro, and Melanie (Jayson) Lanier of McMinnville, five grandchildren Justin (Maria) Lanier, Joshua Lanier, Joseph Lanier, Hannah (Jeremy) Davis, and Noah Lance, and two great-grandchildren Audrey Lanier and Raleigh Lanier.

Funeral service was Tuesday, Dec. 3, at McMinnville Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Rick Stewart, Bro. Ronald Ralph, and Bro. Willard Ralph Jr. officiating. Members of Mr. Cope’s Sunday school class at Gath will serve as honorary pallbearers. Interment will follow at Gath Cemetery. Donations may be made to ALS or to Gath Baptist Church. Online condolences may be made at www.mcminnvillefuneralhome.com.

McMinnville Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Southern Standard

(McMinnville, Tenn.) Dec. 4, 2019