Barbara Caswell Epps

Barbara Jean Caswell Epps, 94, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, surrounded by family. She was born August 24, 1932, in Heard County, Georgia, to Milton and Vara Caswell. In 1943, Barbara Jean moved with her family to South Carolina, where she would make her home for the remainder of her life.

Barbara Jean met the love of her life, Wade Hampton Epps, at Beulah Baptist Church. They were married on May 12, 1951, and shared 68 years of marriage until Wade’s death in December 2019. Together they raised three daughters and built a life centered around family, faith, church, and a home that was a gathering place for generations.

Barbara Jean was a member of Beulah Baptist Church for more than 80 years and served her church in numerous capacities, including on the Finance Committee. She and Wade served as church hosts for decades and opened their home for Bible studies for many years. Her Christian faith remained central throughout her life.

Barbara Jean worked throughout her life in bookkeeping, accounting, payroll, and finance. She began her career with Colonial Stores and ultimately retired from Richland School District One.

She was devoted to her large family and treasured the many years of Sunday lunches, holidays, beach trips, and family gatherings. Barbara Jean loved to cook and took special care to preserve family traditions by handwriting collections of favorite recipes for her daughters and grandchildren. Those cookbooks, filled in her own hand, became treasured pieces of family history. Above all, Barbara Jean was committed to her family and her Lord.

Barbara Jean was predeceased by her parents, Milton and Vara Caswell, and by her beloved husband of 68 years, Wade Hampton Epps. She is survived by her brother, Lewis Caswell (Naomi); sisters, Martha Spires and Phyllis Bridges (Donny); daughters, Valerie Epps Bolton (Randy), Wendy Epps Sizemore (John), and Denise Epps Mothena (Paul); grandchildren, Matthew Bolton (Linda), Allison Sizemore Nissen (Andrew), Casey Sizemore Leeds (Josh), Travis Bolton, Mike Mothena (Whitney), and Zack Mothena (Ann Marie); and her great-grandchildren, Grayson, Ashley, Vara Jean, Ellie Ann, Kai, Colton, Hattie, Mina, Dillan, and Cheyanne.

Funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. Monday, September 14, 2026, at Beulah Baptist Church, with visitation at the church from 1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. Burial will follow the service in Greenlawn Memorial Park. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Beulah Baptist Church, 9487 Garners Ferry Road, Hopkins, SC 29061 or Cedar Creek Baptist Church, 1920 Cedar Creek Road, Blythewood, SC 29016.

Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.