MS. MARY COPELAND BRELAND

Funeral services for Ms. Mary Agnes Copeland Breland will be held at 2 PM Wednesday, February 4, 2026 at John E. Stephens Chapel with Rev. David Lee, Rev. Allen Herrington and Rev. Joey Ratcliff officiating. Interment will be in Cedarlawn Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5-8 PM Tuesday, February 3, 2026. John E. Stephens Chapel is in charge. Mrs. Mary Breland, who was 88 years old, peacefully passed away on February 1, 2026, surrounded by her loving family at her home in Neshoba County. Mary was born on March 30, 1937, to Linard and Effie Copeland. She graduated from Bond High School in 1955. She attended the University of Mississippi, "Ole Miss," and East Central Community College. She married the love of her life, Glenwood Breland, on June 1, 1957. Mary began her work career as a secretary at Cooper Williams Gin, buying cotton. After, that she worked at the Citizens Bank, until she and Glenwood opened and operated Breland's Grocery and Service Station located on Highway 19 South. During that time, she realized her love for flowers, and they opened Breland's Flowers and Gifts. After Glenwood's death, she decided to retire to focus on family, but quickly realized that she did not enjoy being retired. She worked as a first grade teacher's assistant at Neshoba Central Elementary School and, later, as a substitute for Neshoba central and Choctaw Tribal Schools. Mary was a longtime member of Southside Methodist Church, serving as church clerk for many years, and enjoyed singing in the choir. She sponsored for several years a neighborhood 4-H program. She served on the Neshoba County Library Board for many years, as Chairman for several of those years. She was a past matron of the Philadelphia Chapter #91 Order of the Eastern Star. She enjoyed working in her yard, especially cutting her grass. She could also be found bush hogging in the pasture. Mary loved her family and attended as many events as possible for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She loved family gatherings, as family was very important to her. She was a wonderful cook, and her specialty was coconut cake, which you could find quite often ready to eat in her kitchen. Another favorite of Mary's was fishing, whether at her pond or in the Delta with her son, Tim. Survivors include her daughter, Pam Cheatham (Robbie); son, Tim Breland (Sandy); Grandchildren, Ross Cheatham (Jessica), Lauren Parker (Colby), Taylor Grace Breland; 3 great-grandchildren, Thomas Cheatham, Breland Fieber, Collins Parker; sister, Nancy Covington (Gerald), sister-in-law, Cylvia Copeland; and a host of nieces and nephews. Mrs. Breland is preceded in death by her loving husband of 36 years, Glenwood Breland; parents, Linard Copeland and Effie Arilia Cumberland Copeland; sisters, Elvie (Earl) Hudson, Verdis Copeland, Vadis (Jack) Teer; brothers, Edwin (Jeanette) Copeland, Bernis (Talathia) Copeland, Prentice (Dorothy Ree) Copeland, Delbert (Ann) Copeland, Arlon (Tommie) Copeland; Father-in law and Mother-in-law, Frank and Gertie Breland. Pallbearers are Rex Copeland, Chad Copeland, Brad Copeland, Jack Teer, Jr., Josh Tillery, Stan Stewart. Honorary pallbearer Lynn Copeland.

MS. MARY COPELAND BRELAND

March 30, 1937 - February 1, 2026