Mitchell B. "Mitch" Copeland Obituary (1946 - 2022)

Mitchell B. Copeland departed this life on December 28th, 2022. He was born August 19th, 1946 in Brooklyn, New York to Elijah and Virginia Copeland. He was the second of three sons. Mitchell was educated in the New York City School System and graduated from the Boys' School in Brooklyn, New York. Mitchell attended Kansas City Kansas Community College before graduating from the University of Kansas. He remained an avid "Rock Chalk Jayhawk!" Mitchell never met a stranger. He was a captivating storyteller who shared his adventures of exciting experiences and the interesting people that he met throughout his journey. To hear his stories was to share his hearty, unique laugh as he tickled himself down "memory lane." An avid orator, he was eager to share his upbringing in Brooklyn, New York, as well as the adventures he shared with Lucille, Brenda, and Bruce whilst living abroad in the Caribbean Islands. After moving to Kansas in the 80s, he settled in Topeka, Kansas, where he worked many years for the State of Kansas as an auditor. In 1988, Mitchell married Shelia Haney, gaining a bonus daughter Sondra A. Haney, to this union were born two sons, Evan and Michael Copeland. Mitchell was a lover of baseball, basketball, football, and tennis. He passed his love of sports to the community and wanted children to share a love of sports. Mitchell never wanted any child who wanted to play a sport to be left behind. He was very active with community baseball. He coached and traveled with his nephews and sons' baseball, football, and basketball teams to championships across the United States. In his later years, he played an active role in his neighborhood co-op, having served as President.. He was very proud of his contribution to the co-op in which he planted a community garden every spring. Everywhere Mitchell went, he made a friend, people always felt comfortable, and he will be truly missed by family and friends. Mitchell is preceded in death by Lucille Krieger, his father Elijah Copeland, and mother Virginia (Dupree) Copeland of Brooklyn, NY. Left to eternalize Mitchell's memory include his brothers Elijah (Ursula) T. Copeland (Kansas City) Mustafa Abdul-Mumin (Brooklyn, NY); daughters, Brenda (Christopher) Borden (Queens, NY), Sondra A. Haney (Waukegan, Il); sons, Bruce Borden (Queens, NY) Evan M. Copeland (Topeka, KS), Michael (Briony) Copeland (Dallas, TX); grandchildren, Damon White (Queens, NY), Mykaya Borden, Bryce Borden, Hezikah Borden (Upstate, NY) KaeAnna Copeland (Topeka, KS) and a host of special sons and daughters, nieces, and nephews who he has loved and mentored throughout his lifetime. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made in Mr. Copelands name to the Topeka Baseball and Softball Association.