Funeral services were held on 05/09/2023 at Mt. Erie Baptist Church, with a burial following at Mt. Hope Cemetery. Final arrangements were entrusted to Anderson Ragsdale Mortuary.
Vera Lee Epps, affectionately known as “Bibbie”, was born in Cotton Plant, Arkansas, on July 5, 1937. She was the sixth of nine children, born to Thad Joseph and Cecile Evelyn Epps. The family moved to La Jolla, California.
Vera attended La Jolla Elementary and later La Jolla High School and was a member of the high school marching band. Vera grew up in a Christian home and, at an early age, gave her life to Christ, attending Prince Chapel A.M.E. church in La Jolla.
After graduating High School, Vera traveled to Columbia, South Carolina, and attended Benedict College. There she met Freddie Mack Williams. They were united in holy matrimony, and their first two daughters were born. In 1959, the family moved to La Jolla, California, and were blessed with two more daughters. Finally, in 1964, the family moved to San Diego, where the fifth daughter was born.
The family joined the Calvary Baptist Church. She was active on the usher board, led the Sunday School as Superintendent, and the Women’s Mission Group. In 1972 she began her employment as a Teacher’s Aid with San Diego City Schools. In 1996, Vera joined Mt. Erie Baptist Church, dedicated to the Women’s Mission and served as president of the senior usher board. Vera served as an officer in the California Missionary Baptist State Convention Usher’s Ministry. She was president of the Progressive Missionary Baptist District Association Usher’s Ministry.
Vera passed on April 18, 2023, and was preceded in death by her husband Freddie Mack Williams; parents, Thad and Cecile Epps; brothers Charles “Luke” Epps, Randell “Dell” Epps, Thad “Joe” Epps, and Wilbert “Billy” Epps; sisters Carrie Lois Johnson and Barbara Ann Charlton; granddaughter Jeniece Daniels.
She leaves to cherish her memories daughters Teri Williams, Pamela Williams, Patricia Daniels, Linda Martin, and DeJeanette Williams; sister Maxine Henry and brother Donald “Donnie” Epps (Sandy); grandchildren Daniel Martin (Zenja), Korynn Daniels, and Kayla Martin; great-grandchildren Elisha Martin, Aaliyah Sherrills, and Zahara Martin; brother-in-law Reverend John Williams; sister-in-law Edna Thompson (David), and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and many friends.
