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On Sunday August 6th, 2023, our precious mother, Doris Epperson, went home to be with our Heavenly Father. She was 94 years young. Doris is preceded in death by her parents Joe Axe Washington and Georgia Ellen Charloe, two sisters Cora Lee Keller and Ruby Glass, her husband William J Epperson, one son William Allen Epperson (Judy Epperson), one grandson Kenneth Wayne Epperson, Jr., and one nephew Darrell Stanley.

Doris is survived by son Kenneth Wayne Epperson, Sr (Martha Epperson d), daughter JoAnn Epperson Sears (Al Sears), and son Robert Lee Epperson. One grandson Mark Allen Sears (Jayme Sears), two granddaughters Misty Epperson Cinocca and Cherish Epperson Harris, one great grandson Marcus Sears, three great granddaughters Jordan Paige Sears, Rachael Epperson, and Lily Harris, one great great granddaughter Layla J. Doris also has 2 nieces Glenda Lee Gunney (Everett) and Linda Sue Ryan, 3 nephews Dennis Stanley, Farrell Stanley, and Kevin Stanley, and numerous great and grand nieces and nephews. I can't forget Lucy Hillyard, and the many other children and grandchildren she loved as her own.

She was a mother, housewife, friend, but most of all she was a Christian that loved God! She had an amazing ability to draw people to her and the ones who met her absolutely loved her. I've heard so many people say about mom is how they could feel the love she had for them and how she touched their lives in some way or another, whether it be by her talking to them about Jesus or just praying for them or just saying she loved them. I know when I would ask her to pray about something, there was no hesitation, and she would go to prayer immediately. Mom was a true prayer warrior. I remember hearing her praying sometimes during the day and other times at night. I'm pretty sure she is still praying for us even now.

A close friend who is practically part of the family, said that when she thinks about mom, the word "grace" comes to mind, and that isn't a word that she uses often to describe a person. One of the definitions by Merriam-Webster Dictionary describes grace as a "virtue coming from God", The American Heritage Dictionary describes it as "a characteristic or quality pleasing for its charm or refinement". I cannot disagree with that assessment because that's how she was. Others have described her as "classy", and that she was ever since she was a young woman. After all, that's what attracted our father to her!

One of mom's favorite stories that she loved telling over and over was about our dad meeting her. Mom was working downtown and when she finished work and then whatever she wanted to do after work, she would catch a bus to take her home. The bus driver was acquainted with mom, and he would make sure to hold a seat for her at the front of the bus. But one day, there was a handsome young man who she caught his eye that was boarding the same bus and he hollered at her from the back of the line saying for her to wait for him because he had a seat for her, even though she was already boarding the bus and had a seat at the front. When he finally boarded the bus, he sat down right next to her, and introduced himself, and told her he had recently been discharged from the army and was on his way to see his dad. They got acquainted and by the time mom got to her house, dad had gotten her phone number and made a date with her. That was the beginning of a 54-year relationship that only ended when my dad passed away in June 2000. They were married in 1946, ended up having 4 children, and were wonderful parents.

There are so many stories that can be told about this precious and amazing woman who me and my siblings call mom. The love that she gave us, the prayers she prayed for us every night, and the comfort of knowing she was always there for us, will be greatly missed. But we must remember that she put her suffering and pain last as a mother who loved her children so much more than what she was going through. Unfortunately, it seems like that type of dedication is slowly becoming less and less important in our society today. I thank God that He gave me parents that held to the belief that family is important and must be protected.

I have had the privilege of taking care of mom over the last 12 years. Yes, it was an honor for me to be able to give her the care, love, and protection that she needed. I gave up a portion of my life to give back to her just a little bit of what she gave me. I don't regret it one bit, as a matter of fact, I would do it all over again as many times as I could. We had our rough times, arguments, and all. Rarely did the night end without apologies and kisses of forgiveness. During her last few weeks, I told mom a couple of times that she needed to hurry up and get well and come home because it had been a long time since we had a good ole argument and she knew I was just joking with her, but also that I missed her.

My brother, sister, and I are so blessed to have had such a special gift from God as our mother and father. We couldn't have asked for any better mother than this beautiful woman, Doris Epperson.