Copperhead kills Counce man

June 28– Hardin County Sheriff’s Department officials say a Counce man died from the bite of a venomous snake Saturday.

Leroy Oakley Jr., 48, 7503 Tenn. 57, was cutting grass when the snake, believed to be a copperhead, bit him, Carroll Kay Grimes told officers.

Grimes, the victim’s fiance, said she left for Walmart at 11:15 a.m. on Saturday and returned less than 90 minutes later to find Oakley lying on his back in the backyard.

When she went to check on him, Grimes said Oakley’s left leg was bleeding and believed it to be a snake bite. She immediately called 911, according to reports.

Copperhead snake bites are generally considered non-life threatening with appropriate medical treatment, says the website www.copperheadsnake.net.

However Sheriff Sammy Davidson said he learned Oakley’s family has a history of allergic reactions to insect stings and that may have played a role in Oakley’s death.

Services for Oakley will be held Wednesday at Shackelford Chapel in Savannah at 1 p.m.