Frances Gwendolyn Eppes

Frances Gwendolyn (Gwen) Perkins Eppes, age 92, went home to be with her Heavenly Father on Friday, November 29, 2013. Formally a Charlotte resident, Gwen resided at Stanley Total Living Center in Stanley, NC. She was born in Charlotte, NC on October 3, 1921 to the late Elliotte Telle Perkins and Mabel Robertson Perkins. Gwen graduated from Paw Creek High School in 1939 and married the love of her life, Francis Oliver Eppes, on June 1, 1940 at the age of 18. They celebrated 68 years of marriage together before Francis passed away in 2008.

Gwen was a dedicated mother of three children and also cared for her own mother at home until her death. In her earlier years, she sang in the church choir and taught Sunday school. After her grandchildren were born, she loved to serve in the church nursery. She was a woman of many talents who enjoyed crafts, sewing and tole painting. Gwen and her husband, Francis, enjoyed square dancing and taking many trips across country with their close friends after Francis retired. They were also active in several senior programs at Thrift Baptist, Thrift Methodist, Christ United Methodist, Paw Creek Presbyterian, Lucia Baptist Church and Northside Baptist Church in Charlotte.

Gwen was a long time member of Thrift Baptist Church where she was active until the last few years when her health began to decline. She was a member of the T.E.L. class.

Gwen was predeceased by her parents, husband, Francis O. Eppes, daughter, Sally Elizabeth Eppes, and brother, Elliotte T. Perkins, Jr.

Gwen is survived by her children, Eddie Eppes of Mt. Holly, NC, Rodney Eppes of Mt. Holly, NC, Joy Eppes Wolfe and husband Bob of Dallas, NC; her two very special grandchildren and their spouses; Patrick Wolfe and wife, Melissa, of Ft. Mill, SC and Amber Wolfe Flowe and husband, Glenn, of Dallas, NC and one great-grandchild, Jordan “Alex” Flowe of Dallas, NC.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm on Monday, December 2, 2013 at Thrift Baptist Church, 8415 Moores Chapel Road, Charlotte, NC with a funeral service to follow at 2:30 pm. The Reverend Gene Lathan will officiate. Interment will follow at Sharon Memorial Park.

Memorials can be made to Gaston Hospice, 258 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia, NC 28054, Stanley Total Living Center, 514 Old Mt. Holly Road, Stanley, NC 28164, or Thrift Baptist Church, 8415 Moores Chapel Road, Charlotte, NC 28214.