By Scott Grooms
This week’s spotlight is on Jamey Copeland. Jamey grew up in Colleton County and is the son of Jimmy Copeland and Patricia Utsey, now married to Glenn Utsey.
Jamey attended John C. Calhoun Academy, graduating in 1981 and continued his education at Spartanburg Methodist College.
After college, Jamey went to work in Berryville, Arkansas selling advertising for the Berryville Star Newspaper and the Ozark Mountain Shopper, which was one of 20 papers owned by Rupert Earl Phillips. Berryville, which is located in the heart of the Ozark Mountains was his home for a year and a half, but Jamey missed the beach and his family and friends from home so he returned to Walterboro and went to work for Claxon Poultry. There he worked his way up to manager at a young age. He was also in sales, calling on restaurants in the Tri-County area.
Copeland worked at Claxton Poultry for a couple of years and then went to work with his father at their family-owned business, Walterboro Feed and Garden. After a number of years at Walterboro Feed and Garden, his father passed away of pancreatic cancer at 60 years old. Jamey took over the family business and also managed various others over the years, including Jamey’s Car Wash, a pet store, and a palm tree business out of Orangeburg. After 27 years of business, Walterboro Feed and Garden downsized and became the Flower Barn and Old Seed Counter, a plant and gardening shop.
During his time at the Flower Barn, Jamey did a call-in show for nine years on Big Dog Radio out of Hampton/Allendale where he would talk about gardening and what they had on sale.
Jamey ran the flower barn with his mother, Patricia, until she retired. He sold the business five or six years ago, which is now Josie’s Flower Barn, still open for business on Jefferies Blvd. in Walterboro.
Retirement did not work for Jamey, and he went to help his Aunt Della at H and D Supermarket. Under her guidance, he learned the business and everything about H and D. Jamey stresses the fact that he loves his mom and Aunt Della very much, who have always stood beside and supported him.
He stayed on after H and D was bought by Laura and Gene Drawdy. He says, “they are great people and owners.”
Jamey is a member of the Masons Lodge 236 Bells and a trustee for Coastal Electric Co-op. He says, “Being a part of Colleton County and The City of Walterboro, I have always tried to treat customers with respect and dignity and good services.” Jamey also enjoys being around people, “After being in business for 40 years, I like to visit the local businesses and see people I know.”
Jamey has been married to his beautiful wife, Sharon, for 12 years. Jamey has two daughters from his first marriage: Tabor, who resides in Columbia with her husband, Spencer, and their son, Cope, and Claire, who resides in Chicago with her boyfriend, Christian. Jamey also has 4 brothers: Skip, Trent, Madison, and Steven.
When not working, Jamey loves spending time on Turkey Run Farm.
His father started developing Turkey Run Farm 38 years ago. He says, “We got 45 acres, and it’s just a beautiful, place. It’s just a, comfortable place to come, sit, relax, and eat a good meal.” When not on Turkey Run Farm, Jamey loves to go to Edisto Beach. Colleton County is home, his favorite place, and he loves the people of Colleton County.
He also likes to post videos of his delicious meals 3 or 4 days a week on Facebook, to show what he’s preparing for dinner any given night. Be sure to check out his page, it will make you hungry and smile.
Finally, Jamey, says, “When I was five years old my parents instilled in me the importance of treating everybody the same way every day, and thank God. He’ll get you through the good times and the bad.”
