Francis “Frank” Eppes, 82, of Fitzgerald, died Monday, August 27, at his residence.
Funeral services will be held 2 P.M., Thursday, August 30, at the First Baptist Church in Fitzgerald, with Rev. Kelly Brown officiating. Interment will follow in Arp Cemetery, Irwin County. The family will receive friends from 7 until 9 Wednesday evening at the funeral home.
Mr. Eppes was born January 15, 1925, in Bacon County, to the late Francis Eppes, Jr. and Lois Meek Eppes. He was raised by his maternal grandmother, Minnie Lee Meek. He graduated from Fitzgerald High School in 1942. He was a World War II Veteran of the Army Air Corps and attained the rank of Corporal. After receiving his basic training at Biloxi, Mississippi, he served in England, Normandy Beach in France and the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium. He had lived all of his life in the community and was a retired conductor with over 44 years service to CSX Railroad. He was a member of the First Baptist Church and the Baracca Sunday School Class. He also served as a deacon and loved all aspects of his church. Mr. Eppes served as an honorary deputy sheriff and court baliff with the Ben Hill County Sheriff’s Department. He was a member and Past Master of Pine Level Lodge #353, F.&A.M., a member of the Hasan Shrine Temple in Albany, the Ben Hillbillies Unit, the Royal Order of Jesters, and a lifetime member of the Fitzgerald Elks’ Lodge. Mr. Eppes was a 33rd degree Mason and a member of the Mars McDonald American Legion Post 99. He enjoyed yard work and was a dear friend to all who knew him.
Mr. Eppes is survived by his wife of 57 years, Lois Eppes of Fitzgerald; children and their spouses: Susan E. Hinton of Newnan, Keith & Linda Eppes of Orange Park, FL, and Jan E. and Mark Duncan of Middleburg, FL; one sister: Alberta Carroll of Carrollton; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; aunt: Myrtle Brown of Dublin; and a number of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
The family suggests those desiring to send memorials in lieu of flowers may send them to the First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 367, Fitzgerald, GA 31750, Hasan Shrine Temple Transportation Fund, 1822 Palmyra Road, Albany, GA 31702 or to Blue-Gray Community Hospice, P O Box 1447, Fitzgerald, GA 31750.