Joseph Schrum Epps

1930 - 2013

Joseph Schrum Epps obituary, 1930-2013, CONOVER, NC

FUNERAL HOME

Drum Funeral Home - Conover

509 First Ave South

Conover, North Carolina

Joseph Epps Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Apr. 25, 2013.

JOSEPH S. EPPS

Newton businessman Joseph Schrum Epps, a resident of Conover, died Wednesday, April 24, at Catawba Valley Medical Center, following a one-month illness. He was 83.
A memorial service will be conducted Saturday, April 27, at 11 a.m. at Newton First Presbyterian Church by the Rev. Dr. Wallace Johnson and the Rev. Marion Powell. Music will be performed by John Mull, vocal soloist, the First Presbyterian Church Choir, and Tim Warren, organist.
The family will receive friends following the service in the church parlor.
A private burial ceremony for the family at Catawba Memorial Park will be held prior to the memorial service, when Hickory American Legion Post 48 firing squad will present a military salute and Taps will be played by a trumpeter.
Surviving Epps are his wife, the former Betty Neill Boggs of Catawba, whom he married October 12, 1957; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Dr. Bradley Scott Epps of Boston, MA, and Erich Joseph Epps and Carla Elizabeth Epps of Salisbury; and two grandsons, Aaron Joseph Epps and Caleb Samuel Epps of Salisbury.
A native of Newton, Epps was born April 11, 1930, a son of the late Luther Macon Epps and Mittie Schrum Epps. The family resided on West Sixth Street in Newton. In addition to his parents, he was also pre-deceased by his brothers, Luther Macon Epps Jr. and his twin, Charles Lee Epps; and his sisters, Ruth Gilletta Epps Hunter and Louise Epps Greer.
He was a 1947 graduate of Newton-Conover High School and a 1953 alumnus of Duke University with the Bachelor of Science degree in business administration. At Duke he played on the freshman basketball team and sang in the university choir, performing with the choir on national television on the Perry Como show in the early 1950s.
Epps interrupted his education to leave Duke for two years to serve in the Army during the Korean Conflict. He was posted during the war years in the Panama Canal Zone, later returning to the university for two more years and graduating. He then returned to Newton and joined his father in the family business in 1953, Epps Printing Company, a commercial printing business at that time located on West A Street.
Epps became owner-operator the company founded by his father in 1923 following his father's death and expanded it to include clients in several area counties. He built the present business building on North College Avenue in 1964 and retired recently, ending the retail and printing operations there.
In 1964 Mr. and Mrs. Epps built their present home in Conover and have resided there since that time.
Throughout his career Epps was involved in community activities in both Newton, Conover and Hickory. Former Newton mayor Tom Rowe appointed him to the city's Revitalization Committee in 1996, serving through 1999. He later was vice chairman of the Downtown Newton Development Association (DNDA). For more than a half century he was active in the Newton Lions Club, serving as both club president and for three years as district governor. He was a former member of Catawba Valley Executives Club.
He was also a member of the Hickory-based Moonlighters men's singing group and was in earlier years a vocal soloist for local weddings and funerals and a member of several church choirs. Epps attended Newton First Presbyterian and Gateway Baptist churches and was a former member of Newton First United Methodist Church.
Epps was a member of Hickory American Legion Post 48 and was recently inducted into the Legion's elite Society of the Forty and Eight, dating from World War I.
His hobbies included cartography and geography, with a life-long interest in local and historical maps, gardening, and tennis.
The Epps family has suggested that, in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to American Legion Post 48, Post Office Box 505, Hickory NC 28603.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Epps

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Not sure what to say?

May 8, 2013

Jenoise Harris

Betty, I was so sorry to hear of Joe's passing. He was a nice man, and I bought plenty things from his store. You are in my prayers. God Bless you,

May 1, 2013

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Epps family. Mr. Epps was a true gentleman with a benevolent spirit.

The Law Office of Leslie M.Yount (Leslie, Pam and Kathy)

April 30, 2013

Brenda Chunn

Erich and Carla our entire family Herbert,Dennis(Kim), and Kevin wish to extend our sympathy for the loss of your father. Our thoughts and prayers are with you

April 29, 2013

Bill McBrayer

I went to L-R with Joe & Betty's son Erich. I remember Joe & Betty taking some of us guys to dinner at Jones Fish Camp periodically. As a "poor" college kid, that was the best treat to be taken out to eat. I would see the both of them out eating at the Snack Bar some in past years. I would always go up and speak and they always remembered my name. I always thought very highly of Joe Epps. He will be missed.

April 28, 2013

Gerald Abernethy

I have known Joe since the first grade and found him to be very friendly. He will be missed. My sypathy to the family.

April 28, 2013

Gerald Abernethy

My sympathy to the family. I will always remember Joe as a fine person.

April 28, 2013

Sue Kuhn Moorefield

I remember Joe from WAY back, growing up on W. 6th Street and being in high school together. It's been a LONG time but I do remember Joe fondly. Sorry bout his death.

April 26, 2013

JR Buchanan

Mr epps I am so sorry for your list your family will be in my prayers

April 26, 2013

Don Bledsoe

To the Epps Family,
just wanted to send our most sincere condolences,
along with our "prayers of comfort".
May God strengthen you now & in the days ahead.

With Deepest Sympathy,

Rev. Don & Helen Bledsoe
and Family

April 26, 2013

Cathy Ledbetter-Breault

Our class came to Epps Printing Co. for a tour. That was my first time seeing letterpress printing...I later on had a career with Meredith/Burda Printing Company. I last saw Joe at the Newton Post Office 3 months ago. He was still very active so I was stunned when I saw he had passed. I'm so sorry for your loss.

April 26, 2013

Patsy Marlowe Rosenstein

Betty, My memories of Joe and you go back to as early as your marriage. Epps Printing in the original store was my first job thru High School. Joe was always so kind and encouraging to me. He will remain one of my most "memorable people", even 6 weeks ago when I shared time with the two of you, he continued to share a positive energy with me. May you find peace and comfort in God's love for you. Patsy Marlowe Rosenstein

April 26, 2013

Sincere Sympathy,

Robert & Sarah Mauser

April 26, 2013

Katherine Hyder

I didn't know Joe until recently but the conversations we had were always a blessing. He could always make you smile and laugh. He will be missed. My prayers are with your family. God bless you all.

April 26, 2013

Betty & Family, I just want you to know you are all in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Joe was a wonderful person and he will be missed. Love, Charlene Hendrix

April 26, 2013

Gerald Mourglea

Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.

April 26, 2013

Robert/Hilda Taylor

We made a bus trip to Myrtle Beach four yrs. ago with Joe and you and we all had a wonderful time. I know you are going to miss him so much Betty. May our LORD Bless you Joe and keep you forever and ever. Amen

April 26, 2013

Jimmy Stamey

Betty and Family,
Please know that Joe will be deeply missed. We think a lot of both of you. Your family is in our prayers and thoughts.
Jimmy, Kim, Heather and Aiden

April 26, 2013

Mark Cunningham

Betty,

I was sadden to get the news that Joe had passed. Some of my earliest memories are of Joe, Charles, and my Uncle Marcus paling around together in Newton. Many times they would let me tag along with them to sit around at the old "CP," while they joked, laughed, and had a big time. Know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this sad time.

April 26, 2013

Betty and Family,
I was sorry to hear of Joe's passing. He always made choir practice fun with his picking on me. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Thelma Miller

April 26, 2013

Ronnie Ingram

Growing up in Newton, I had the priviledge of knowing Joe. He and my dad were downtown merchants. My prayer is that God will bless and comfort each of you during this very difficult time.

April 26, 2013

Dear Betty and Family,
Please know our prayers are with you..Vicki & Jim Yount

April 26, 2013

Judy Ridenhour

Erich and Carla, Thinking of you and your family with heartfelt thoughts and prayers....my love to all of you.

April 26, 2013

Charlie Lewis

Erich,Sorry for your loss. I have great memories of your dad. He was a special man. God Bless You,Charlie Lewis

April 25, 2013

Connie Morton

I miss seeing Joe driving around the neighborhood, stopping to chat every now and then, reminding me to quit smoking! But mostly, I will miss visiting, just talking about stuff...sports, politics...anything and everything! I had the privilege of taking him with our family to the Easter drama last year--HE knew more people at Woodlawn than I DID, and I've been a member there for 3 years! He was a wonderful Southern gentleman, and I will miss him a lot! God bless you all--Betty, Bradley, Eric, Carla, Aaron & Caleb. Dennis, Connie & Abby Morton

April 25, 2013

Beth Boston Bell

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

April 25, 2013

Michelle Owens

Please know your family is in our thoughts and prayers.

April 25, 2013

I am very sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Teresa Pless

Showing 1 - 27 of 27 results

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Drum Funeral Home - Conover

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