Guy Epps

Guy Wren Epps of Searcy, Arkansas died on August 15, 2011. He was born on October 17, 1917 in the home of his parents John Whitson and Dosia Etta Milton Epps in Little Rock and was the seventh of ten children. After the first grade at Mills Elementary School in Sweet Home, he attended Little Rock public schools and was a 1935 graduate of Little Rock Senior High School. His employment by White County Printing Company in 1938 dictated his move to Judsonia, Arkansas. His employment there was interrupted by 3½ years of U. S. Army Air Force duty during World War II. From 1938 until 1957, he was an employee of the Searcy Daily Citizen. He then became one of the founders of Commercial Printing Company, Inc. in Searcy. That firm sold to three employees in 1980. He continued as a part time employee of that firm until 1987. Mr. Epps became a member of the Judsonia Methodist Church South in 1939. Having moved to Searcy in 1965, he became a member of the First United Methodist Church in Searcy. He served in several capacities in both churches and was not only a church school teacher for 40 years but also a lay speaker for 35 years. His volunteer activities included the Boy Scouts of America in both Judsonia and Searcy and The Sunshine School in Searcy. He was an active member of the Kiwanis Club and the Lion’s Club. He was a past Master of the Masonic Lodge in Judsonia, a member of the Searcy Masonic Lodge No. 49 F. & A.M., Shrine Scimitar Temple and Scottish Rites, Valley of Little Rock. He was Grand Master of the Masonic Anchor Lodge No. 384 in Judsonia in 1952, the year of the devastating March 21st tornado. Survivors include his son John Lawrence Epps and his wife Lisa LoPorto of Columbia, Missouri. One of the greatest joys of his life, his only grandchild Rachel Elizabeth Epps currently resides in Chicago, Illinois. He is also survived by his youngest brother William Kenneth Epps of North Charleston, South Carolina, step-daughter Nancy Jo Summers of Benton and many nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death was his first wife of 65½ years, Mary Louise Orr Epps and his second wife of 2½ years, Marion Blunk Epps. Other precedents included his brothers Ernest Clayton Epps, Arthur Ray Epps, Clyde Terrell Epps, Clarence Vernon Epps and Roy Jones Epps. Predeceased sisters included Thelma Louise Epps Carpenter, Margaret Pearl Epps Presley and Mary Katherine Epps Childress. His daughter-in-law Patricia Hickam Epps also preceded him in death. The family will forever appreciate the loving care given to Uncle Guy by his great-niece April Presley Thomas. Her nursing skills and her spirit of dedication helped make the last weeks of his life more comfortable. A tremendous amount of gratitude is extended to April. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the First United Methodist Church, 304 North Main, Searcy, Arkansas 72143 or the Sunshine School, P. O. Box 831, Searcy, Arkansas, 72145-0831. Funeral services will be graveside on Thursday, August 18 at 10:00 at the Oaklawn Memorial Gardens in Searcy. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5:30 until 7:00 p.m. at the Powell Funeral Home of Searcy.

Guy Epps

October 17, 1917 - August 15, 2011