Edwin Epperson, 93, a native of Baldwin County and longtime resident of Vernant Park, died Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009 at an area health care facility.
He was born June 6, 1916 in Loxley, the third son and fifth child of Roy Anthony Epperson and Lulu Mullihan Epperson.
In his early youth, after attending Baldwin County schools, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps. While working for that program assisted in the building of Gulf State Park, among other work.
In 1940, he joined the Alabama National Guard at Foley and soon he and other members were called up to the 31st Infantry, known as the “Dixie Division” because it was made up of men from Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Florida.
He was an active member of the U.S. Army before America’s entry into World War II. He sailed with other infantry men to Europe aboard the Queen Mary, trained in England, participated in the Allied invasion of Europe, and was in combat until his capture in the German counterattack in the Battle of the Bulge.
After he and fellow soldiers survived a bombing attack by British bombers on the train that was transporting them to a prison camp, they arrived at a POW camp in Germany on Christmas Day 1944. Ragged, half-starved and covered with lice, the men were rescued in the spring of 1945. After hospitilization, he returned to his wife, Mazie (nee Lipscomb) and baby girl, Dianne.
Following military service, he worked as a civilian at Navy installations at Pensacola, Fla. until his retirement. His military honors include the Purple Heart. He was a proud participant in the first "Honor Flight" of World War II veterans to Washington in May this year.
He was known by family and friends as a fun-loving, friendly man who loved nothing better than family parties and dinners (unless it was a spirited game of cards). Friends from his youth remember him as one of the mischievous youngsters in Loxley whose Halloween pranks became legendary. He was the best dancer on the floor at weddings of his grandchildren and he was mentally alert up until his death.
He was faithful to the family of his birth, to his wife and children, to his church, to his community and his country, serving them all generously, lovingly, and without complaint.
He was active in the Vernant Park Baptist Church and served as a deacon in the Foley First Baptist Church.
He was active in the DAV, Masons, VFW and the Good Sam Club. He also coached Little League ball in Foley.
Survivors include Dianne (Bob) Kaiser of Vernant Park, Edna Epperson Vaughn of Vernant Park, Frances (Don) Terry of Daphne and Eddie (Joann) Epperson of Jupiter, Fla.; grandchildren, Todd (Bridget) Kaiser of Loxley, Troy (Judy) Kaiser of Foley, Johnny (Kim) MacNaughton of Fairhope, Tim Kaiser of Foley, Dr. Steve (Dr. Christine) Terry of Augusta, Ga., Wende (Billy) Dunbar of Robertsdale, Cathy (Dennis) Chandler of Mobile; Chris (Sheri) Terry of Duluth, Ga.; 10 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, five brothers and sisters.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9 at Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home in Foley. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturdya, Oct. 10 at Vernant Park Baptist Church.
The family requests memorial donations be made to Honor Flight South Alabama at Mobile Area Veterans Day Commission, P.O. Box 2187, Mobile, AL 36652-2187. For information contact Fran Terry 626-0935 or 604-5668.
Arrangements are by Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Homes & Crematory Inc., Foley.
