Mr. Billy Roy Cope age 79 of McMinnville, TN, died Saturday, November 30, 2019, at his residence. He was born February 28, 1940, in McMinnville, TN, 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, Murfreesboro, TN, and Melanie (Jayson) Lanier, McMinnville, TN, 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 will be at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, December 03, 2019, in the McMinnville Funeral Home Chapel. Bro. Rick Stewart, Bro. Ronald Ralph, and Bro. Willard Ralph, Jr. will officiate. Members of Mr. Cope's Sunday School Class @ Gath will serve as honorary pallbearers. Interment will follow at Gath Cemetery. The Cope Family will receive friends Monday from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. and again Tuesday from 9:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. at the parlors of McMinnville Funeral Home.

Donations may be made to A.L.S. or to Gath Baptist Church.

Online condolences may be made at www.mcminnvillefuneralhome.com

McMinnville Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. 931-473-6606.