All Obituaries Contributed by: Connie Epps Bond and posted with her permission. June 28, 2004
The Banner Herald, Athens, Georgia
Monday, March 16, 1931
OBITUARY OF ROY B. EPPS
Funeral Services
For Roy B. Epps
Held Here Today
Funeral services for Roy B. Epps, well known Athens business man who died Saturday morning at a local hospital, were conducted from the First Baptist church this morning at 10 o’clock by Dr. J. C. Wilkinson, pastor, and Dr. S.J. Cartledge, pastor of the Central Presbyterian church. Interment was in Oconee cemetery, Bernstein Brothers Funeral home in charge.
Mr. Epps was a native of Clarke county and in his 34th year. He was a member of the West End Baptist church. He was proprietor of the Athens Battery company and Mutual Services Station.
Surviving Mr. Epps are his wife, Mrs. Pauline Thompson Epps; a daughter, Selma Epps and a son, William Epps; his parents, Mr. And Mrs. T. J. Epps; four sisters, Mrs. Eugene Thomas, Mrs. William McKinnon, Mrs. L. E. Blakeley, and Miss Mozell Epps, all of Athens; four brothers, Ben T. Epps, Robert L. Epps, Athens; Carl Epps, Rome, and Ensign W. B. Epps, Newport, R. I.; two aunts, Mrs. G. W. Malcom, Oconee County; Mrs. Phillips Rogers, Florida; and two uncles, J. M. Epps, Atlanta, and W. H. Langford, Port Townsends, Wash.
September 3, 1992
WILMA BUTLER
BISHOP – Wilma Butler, 81, of 2430 New High Schoals Road, died Wednesday, Sept
2, 1992. Arrangements will be announced by Oconee Chapel Funeral Directors, Watkinsville.
Athens Banner Herald, Athens, Georgia,
Wednesday, November 25, 1970
O’Dillon, James November 24, 1970
Death Claims James O’Dillon
BISHOP – Mr. James Edmond O’Dillon, 94, died Tueday afternoon after a lengthy illness. He was the husband of the late Mrs. Cornelia O’Dillon.
He was a native and life-long resident of Oconee County. He was superintendent of the Bishop Methodist Church Sunday School for 27 years and a steward for 40 years. He was an associate Oconee County commissioner for 12 years, served on the Bishop school board and on the Bishop council. He was a retired hardware merchant.
Survivors include three daughters, Mrs. Guy Malcolm and Mrs. Clair Willingham, both of Macon, and Miss Louise O’Dillon of Bishop; son J. Marvin O’Dillon of Tennille; grandson, J. Marvin O’Dillon of Macon; four great-grand-children: and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Thursday at 2:30 p.m. at the Bishop United Methodist Church. Official will be the Rev. Robert Shook. The Rev. Henry Walker and the Rev. J. S. Hayes. Burial will be in the Bishop Cemetery.
Pallbears will be C. Mell Bell, E. T. Hardigree, R. E. Branch Jr., H. M. Kenimer, H. L. Hardigree, Weymon Turnbull, John C. Anthony and Woodrow Turnbull. Honorary pallbearers will be Mayor C. H. Bray, S. H. Adair, H. S. Turnbull, A. H. Thomas, Odell Miller, B. A. Thomas, H. K. Thomas, Bob Porter, Speck Downs, Eddie Moon, S. B. Harper, Rev. R. O. Few, J. S. Foster, Victor Kenimer, W. F. Wells, Willard Kilpatrick, Ned N. Malcolm and Ralph Green.
The body will lie in state at the church for an hour prior to the service.
McDorman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Athens Banner Herald,
Friday morning, May 13, 1921
Stewart, Mary Alie May 11, 1921
Funeral of Mary Alie Stewart, 3 year old daughter of Mr. And Mrs. Henry Stewart, of Eastville, who died on Wednesday at 11:30 pm, was held from Mars Hill church yesterday afternoon at 4:30 o’clock conducted by Rev. Willie Saye, and interment followed in the church yard. Bernstein Bros funeral directors, were in charge of the arrangements.
The little girl is survived by the parents, a sister and two brothers.
Athens Banner-Herald
Athens Banner-Herald, Thursday, Aug. 8, 1974
James “Add” Stepp
James “Add” Stepp, 80, of 145 Vince Circle, Apt. C., died Wednesday in a local hospital following an extended illness.
The funeral will be Friday at 2 p.m. at the Bethabara Baptist Church with the Rev. John Davidson officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Nephews will serve as pallbearers.
Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Maggie H. Stepp, Athens; a daughter, Mrs. Maggie H. Stepp, Athens, a daughter, Mrs. Leyon Roberts, Bogart; a brother, Frank R. Stepp, Lawrenceville, and two grandchildren.
Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
The Banner, Friday morning, October 18, 1907
The funeral of Miss Brightwell
Sunday morning at nine o’clock in this city was held the funeral of Miss Lessie Brightwell, the beloved young woman who died a few days since at the home of her father, Mr. J. W. Brightwell, after a long illness with typhoid fever.
The services were full of slemnity and pathos and were conducted by Rev. W. A. Chastain, pastor of the christian church. Quite a number of friends were present to pay the last tribute of their affections.
The remains were carried to Oconee County for interment.
Madisonian
Madison, Ga, May 19, 1922
Mrs. Owen Epps (Note: Maiden name Maxwell)
Died at Crawford
News of the death of Mrs. Owen Epps, which occurred Tuesday at her home at Crawford, Ga, was received with much sadness in Madison, where she was known to a number of our people met on visits to her husband’s family here. She had been an invalid for many years. Besides her husband, she leaves one daughter, 13 years old. Miss Pearl Epps attended the burial Wednesday. Mrs. Epps was a Miss Maxwell, and was one of the best known and best loved young women in Oglethorpe county.
Additional Comments:
wife of Owen Epps. Father and mother-in-law W.P.H. and Emma Lester Epps of Morgan Co, Ga.
Note: wife of Owen Epps. Father and mother-in-law W.P.H. and Emma Lester Epps of Morgan Co, Ga.
Transcribed by C. Epps Bond great granddaughter of E. O. Epps youngest brother of WPH Epps. Owen Epps is the son of WPH and Emma Lester Epps.
Athens, GA Tuesday morning, April 26, 1892
Mr. Henry Hardeman
Dies at his mother’s home in Oconee County
Mr. Henry Hardeman, the only son of Mrs. Geo. Hardeman, died at the home of his mother, two miles this side of Snow’s bridge, on the lower Monroe road at nine o’clock Saturday night. Mrs. Hardeman was the only boy in a family of seven children, and was the s n of Mr. Geo. Hardeman who was killed by Mr. Crawford Whitehead, a few years since.
Henry Hardeman was an upright industrious young man and was about seventeen years of age. He has many friends in Oconee county who will learn of his death with profound sorrow, and whose sympathies will go out to the bereayed mother and sisters. The interment took place Sunday at the family burying ground.
Athens, Ga, Friday, November 9, 1951
McRee Services are Held today
Mrs. Susan Kelly McRee, well known Watkinsville resident, died at her home Thursday afternoon at 4 o’clock. Mrs. McRee was 83 years old and had been ill for several weeks.
Services were conducted this afternoon at 2:30 o’clock from Johnson’s Church with the pastor Rev. M. H. Conway, and Rev. Dan ?____, pastor of Watkinsville Christian Church, officiating.
Interment followed in Johnsons Cemetery, Bernstein funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Pallbearers were Roy Crowley, Fred Johnson, Ed White, Albert Elder, Raymond Griffeth and J. B. Simmons, Jr.
Surviving Mrs. McRee is a daughter, Miss Lilia McRee, Watkinsville, six sons, G. H. McRee and H. L. McRee, both of Watkinsville, F. W. McRee, Atlanta, E. T. McRee, Louisville, Ky, Kelley McRee, Greensboro and Mell McRee, Athens; three sisters, Mrs. W. H. Allen, Watkinsville, Mrs. I. S. Moss, Atlanta, and Mrs. Annie Bugg, Milledgeville, eleven grandchildren and twelve great-grand-children.
Mrs. McRee was a native of Washington County and had been a resident of Oconee County for the past seventy-four years.
Wednesday Morning, December 30, 1987
JOHNNY FOWLER
Johnny A. Fowler, 65, Lot 53, Spring Valley Mobile Home Park, died Tuesday, Dec. 29.
Mr. Fowler, a native of Jackson County, had lived in the Athens area most of his life.
Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. Thursday at Ross Chapel Baptist Church. The Rev. Curtis Lee Hammonds will officiate and burial will be in the church cemetery.
Survivors include three duaghters, Beth fowler, Augusta, Ann Stevens, Braselton, and Debbie Strickland, Winterville; three sons, Jerry Fowler, Winterville, Raymond Fowler, Seneca, S. C., and Kenneth Fowler, Watkinsville; a brother Eddie Fowler, Athens; 11 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
The family is at the residence and will reeive friends today from 7 to 9 p.m. at Bernstein Funeral Home.
Additional Comments: Note: native of Jackson Co, lived in Clarke Co, buried in Oconee Co., GA
Watkinsville, GA
Lucy E. Couch
Mrs. Lucy E. Couch of Watkinsville, widow of the late Mr. H. D. Couch, died
Tuesday, August 13, in a local hospital. She was 92.
Mrs. Couch was born in Oconee County and lived her entire life there. She was the daughter of the late Oscar Earl Epps and Annie Herndon Epps. She was a member of the Watkinsville First Baptist Church. Mrs. Couch was the mother of the late Dr. Randall Couch.
ervices were held Thursday, August 15 at Bridges Funeral Home Chapel. The rev. Durell Rice officiated and interment was in Evergreen Memorial Park.
Pall bearers were I. C. Thornton, Don Guyton, Sr., Don Guyton, Jr., T. J. Epps, J. A. Mowrer and Basil Thornton.
Survivors include a son, Jack W. Couch of Watkinsville; four grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
Athens Daily News
Athens, GA, August 1991
Lucy E. Couch Watkinsvile
Lucy E. Couch, 92, of 1091 Creek Hollw Road, died Tuesday Aug. 13.
A native and lifelong resident of Oconee County, Mrs. Couch was a daughter of the late Thomas N. Epps (Note: from Connie Epps Bond, this name was in error should have been Early Oscar Epps) and the late Annie Herndon Epps.
She was married to the late H.D. Couch. She was a member of the Watkinsville First Baptist Church.
Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. Thursday at Bridges Funeral Home chapel. The Rev Durell Rice will officiate, and burial will be in Evergreen Memorial Park. The body will be placed in the chapel at 2 p.m.
Pallbears will be I. C. Thornton, Don Guyton Sr., Don Guyton Jr., T. J. Eppps, J. A. Mowrer and Basil Thornton.
Survigors include a son Jack W. Couch, Watkinsville; four grandchileren; six great-grandchildren; six great-great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
The family is at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Jack W. Couch, 1091 Creek Hollow Road, and will received friends at the funeral home from 7-9 tonight.
Additional Comments: Notes from Connie Epps Bond
Lucy Belle Epps was the daughter of: Early Oscar Epps and Anna L. Herndon
gdaughter of: Thomas North and Penelope Jennings Epps ggdaughter of: William and Sara Alexander Epps
She had a full sister Cora Lee Epps, full brother named Oscar Earl Epps.
She had a half sister: Sara Epps
She had three half brothers: Otis, Willie, Luther Epps
Athens, GA, Tuesday morning, April 12, 1892
Stephens (Mrs)
Death of Mrs. Stephens
On Friday evening last, Mrs. Stephens, whose illness has been noticed in these columns, breathed her last at her home on Baxter Street. The remains were carried to Mars Hill yesterday for interment.
Mrs. Stephens was a bridge of less than a year, a lovely young woman only 21 years of age, and leave a husband and many relatives to mourn her death.
Thought a comparative stranger in our midst, her death has cast a gloom over many households, where hopes were entained for the recovery of this young Christian woman.
Friday morning, February 19, 1909
MR. W. E. ELDER HAS PASSED AWAY
Died Monday at his Home in Oconee County. Was Brave and Loyal Soldier.
Mr. W. E. Elder, a prominent citizen of Oconee County, died at his home in that county on Monday. Mr. Elder was sixty-eight years of age, and had remained single during his life. He was a Confederate soldier, serving in the 44th Georgia regiment and a more loyal soldier never served the Confederacy. He followed Lee from Seven Pines to Appomattox and at the close of the war barefooted he walked from Virginia to his home in Oconee County. Without a penny to start life with he engaged in farming and by close attention to business he met with success and at the time of his death was one of the well to do farmers of that county. He leaves a mother, who is now in her eighty-seventh year, besides a large number of relatives, Messrs. A. G. and G. P. Elder, of this city being nephews.
WILMA BUTLER
BISHOP – Wilma Butler, 81, of 2430 New High Schoals Road, died Wednesday, Sept 2, 1992.
Arrangements will be announced by Oconee Chapel Funeral Directors, Watkinsville.
Mr. W. P. H. Epps,
Passed away Saturday afternoon at His Home in this City.
Saturday afternoon about four o’clock at his home in this city occurred the death of Mr. W. P. H. Epps, after a short illness.
Though he was brought home sick Tuesday morning of last week from Siloam, his condition did not become serious until Friday and his death occurred the next afternoon from acute indigestion and paralysis.
The funeral services were conducted from the late home Sunday afternoon at 3:30 o’clock, a large crowd of people attending to pay the last tribute of respect to a departed neighbor and friend.
From the test “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God,” Rev. J. R. Gunn, of the Baptist church paid a high tribute to the life and character of the deceased-recalling the testimony of neighbors to his kind, neighborly and unselfish traits and his devotion to the members of his household. The choir, composed of Mrs. Stokes, Misses Bessie and Kate Peacock, Louise Torbert, Sarah Brady, Dr. Harris and Mr. Cavanaugh Brady, Dr. Harris and Mr. Cavanaugh sang very sweetly “Nearer My God to The,” “How Firm a
Foundation.” “It is well With My Soul”. Beautiful flowers were banked on the casket, fragrant testimonials of the regard of friends and neighbors. The pallberers were Messrs. R. W. Parker, S. A. Turnell,W. D. Anderson, J. L. Reeves, T. H. Holland and W. T. Bacon.
The deceased was a member of Madison Lodge No 376, Free and Accepted Masons and was buried in Fairview cemetery with the solemn and impressive ceremonies of that order.
William Patrick Henry Epps was born in Oconee County February 8th, 1854, and was the oldest child of Thos. N. and Penelope Epps. On Dec. 12th, 1875, he was married to Miss Emma T. Lester, daughter of Tolbert N. and Martha Van Lester, of Clarke county. Besides the surviving wife there are nine children – Owen N. Epps, of Crawford, Tolbert N. Epps, Selma, Ala.; Earnest Epps of Atlanta; Thomas Lester, Pearl, Mattie Lou, Elizabeth, Daisy and Susie Van, all of this city. There are two surviving brothers – T. J. and J. M. Epps of Athens and one
sister Mrs. Richard Bell, of Cassville, GA. Eleven moths ago the youngest brother died, E. O. Epps, who worked here with him some years ago.
The deceased moved to this place with his family in April 1890.
Mr. Epps was a well known and highly esteemed citizen. Of a quiet modest and retiring nature, those who knew him best liked him most, and appreciated the traits of character that commended him on the esteem and confidence of all good men. Such a solemn and impressive scene is rarely witnessed as that on Sunday afternoon on the slope of Fairview cemetery, when the large crowd stood with uncovered heads in the mellow glow of the autumn sun as the Masons commended the spirit of their brother to the God who gave it and consigned his body to the grave.
The bereaved family have the sympathy of all our people.
William Earl “Early” Epps
BOGART: William Earl “Early” Epps, 70, of 1691 Jimmy Daniel Road, died Saturday, Nov. 10.
A native of Americus, Mr. Epps had lived in Oconee County for 35 years. He was retired from Wellington Corporation and was a veteran of World War II. He was a past Commander of VFW Post #2872 and a member of Amvets Post #10. He was a member of Princeton United Methodist Church.
Memorial services will be at3 p.m. today at The Bernstein Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. Don Cooper will officiate.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Epps; two daughters, Connie Epps Bond, Watkinsville, and Judy Epps Akridge, Bogart; a son William Jessie Earl Epps, Athens; three brothers, Thomas J. Epps, Winterville, Oscar Epps Jr., and Gene Epps both of Athens; two sisters, Dorothy Dottery, Watkinsville, and Thelma Norman, Athens; nine grandchildren; and several nices and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Princeton United Methodist Church building fund or to Extra Special People.
Cremated, memorial service on November 11, 1990 at Bernstein Funeral Home.
Notes of Connie Epps Bond
Paper does not give his entire name “William Jesse Earl Epps, Sr”. son of: Oscar Earl Epps, Sr and Lottie Wallace Epps.
grandson of Early Oscar Epps and Anna L. Herndon Epps. Ggrandson of Thomas North and Penelope Jennings Epps.
GGgrandson of William and Sara Alexander Epps.
My dad was born in Sumter Co., GA. His family had moved from Clarke Co., GA to Sumter Co., GA. Later they moved back to Clarke/Madison/Oconee Counties, GA.
Dad has a tombstone at Evergreen Memorial Park, Clarke Co., Athens, GA. He was a world War II veteran serving on the U.S.S. Intrepid. He received the purple heart.