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.
Madisonian, Madison, GA