Helen Epperson

Helen Epperson, 85, of Ararat, VA, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, October 14, 2015. A visitation will be held Friday, October 16, 2015, from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at Moody Funeral Home in Mount Airy. The funeral service will be held at Moody Funeral Home Chapel on Saturday, October 17, 2015, at 2:00 PM, with Brother George Hiett officiating. Burial will follow at Tyre Bowman Family Cemetery in Ararat, VA. Mrs. Epperson was born December 18, 1929, in Newark, NJ, to Alexander and Carmella Chiappinelli. Helen was a beloved member of Salem Baptist Church. She was a vibrant and spirit-filled soul whose greatest joy was praying for those in need. She shared her joy and laughter with everyone she met. She wholeheartedly loved her family, friends, pets, food and fellowship, and especially a good thrift store find. Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Goston Epperson; her parents; and five sisters, Matilda Gilli, Genevieve Chiappinelli, Violet Chiappinelli, Norma McCullin, and Estelle Windsor. Helen is survived by her brother, Al Chiappinelli; six daughters, Diane (Jim) Mahr of Mount Airy, Jan (Jack) Tompkins of Ararat, VA, Barbara (Robert) Dekorsey of Roanoke, VA, Roo (Roger) Graham of Dripping Springs, TX, Carla (Shawn) Gordon of Austin, TX, and Nora (Bill) Wolf of Seattle, WA; thirteen grandchildren, Megan (Adam) Johnson of Dobson, Daniel (Kayla) Mahr of Soldotna, AK, Jenna Mahr of Mount Airy, Brad (Melinda) Tompkins of Richardson, TX, Amanda (Greg) Ames of Dallas, TX, Josh (Sarah) Tompkins of Dallas, TX, Becca Tompkins of Amazon, Hannah Tompkins of Ararat, VA, Bobby, Mieko, and Chloe Dekorsey of Roanoke, VA, Alexander Gordon of Austin, TX, and Adelei Wolf of Seattle, WA; eight great-grandchildren, Andrew, Jacob, and Levi Johnson, Klaire Mahr, Zachary and Sam Tompkins, Jack Worth and Emma Tompkins; and special nephews and niece, Greg (Valerie) Windsor, Bob (Gina) Windsor, and Missy and Matt McCullin. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home, 945 Zephyr Road, Dobson, NC 27017, in gratitude for their care and support.