First Baptist Church of Phenix City members mourned the death of Pastor F.L. “Bubba” Copeland, who was also mayor of Smiths Station, in the Sunday morning service, asking for prayers for the family, singing hymns and announcing funeral arrangements.

“We gather today for this service with a profound sense of sadness and loss,” a man speaking form the pulpit today said. “Despite what may have been implied in the media, members of this church have been steadfast in their love and concern for our pastor.”

It was not immediately clear who presided over the Sunday service.

“I cannot tell you that I fully understand or can explain the scope of this tragedy. There are some things though that I do know that are absolutely true,” he said.

“I know that my friend Bubba Copeland loved this church and its people. And I know that our testimony as Christians is not defined as much by how we act in the good times, it’s by how we act in the difficult times. And I know that the mission of this church to show God’s love to all people is and will continue to be our primary purpose.”

After singing hymns and some tearful remarks, the livestream of the Sunday morning service was cut off to allow for church members to mourn privately.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, Nov. 8, from 4:30 to 8 p.m. at Vance Brooks Funeral Home in Phenix City. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday at First Baptist of Phenix City.

Copeland, a 49-year-old father of three, took his own life Friday evening in Lee County.

Copeland’s death came two days after 1819 News published photos of him wearing women’s clothing and makeup. 1819 News is a website that was once owned by the Alabama Policy Institute.

At the Sunday service, a passage was read from the 23rd Psalm, the same chapter Copeland read from on Wednesday night, his final service from the pulpit, hours after the 1819 News post.

Copeland held the Lee County School Board’s District 5 seat from 2008 until 2016, when he was elected mayor. He helped guide the city after a tornado killed 23 people in 2019 and was re-elected in 2020.

“During his tenure as Mayor, he helped guide the City through a period of tremendous growth and development, and earn its place as one of the fastest growing Cities in the State of Alabama,” his obituary states.

Copeland also owned and operated the Country Market in Salem.

“But above all, beyond serving his church, city, and community, Bubba loved spending time with his family and serving his community,” the obituary continued.

If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, reach out to the 24–hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255; contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741; or chat with someone online at suicidepreventionlifeline.org. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours.