John Edward (Cooper) Epps; a devoted father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, friend, devoted church member, and respected veteran. Departed this life on Sunday, October 10, 2021. The last child of Robert and Lilia Dixon Cooper. John was adopted by Joseph and Georgia Epps after the early death of his parents. John was born on May 23, 1932. He was educated in Roanoke Public Schools and graduated from Lucy Addison High School.

John entered the United States Army on October 23, 1952, and served until October 14, 1954, finishing as an infantry sergeant and earned a Bronze Service Star, Korean Service Medal, United Nation Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Award, and Republic of Korea Presidential United Citation Award. John left the United States Army with an honorable discharge. After his military service, he returned home.

John met and married Naomi Sweetenberg-Gray in Roanoke, Virginia and they settled in Washington D.C where they started their family. They had two daughters, Georgianna and Nancy Epps. Where John worked at St. Elizabeth Hospital. After the marriage John moved back to Roanoke, Virginia and Naomi stayed in D.C. with their two daughters.

After venturing to Roanoke, Virginia, John obtained employment with Veterans Administration in the Administrated Division where he was employed for over 30 years.

As a young boy, John joined High Street Baptist Church where both of his adopted parents were members and Reverend Taylor offered him a position part-time. During the years, he was an usher and held various positions until his health began to decline.

Before becoming dedicated to church duties, John loved to DJ music for various private affairs, and he loved dancing and entertaining with others socially. John's nickname was "Popcorn". He always made fresh home pots of popcorn that he ate almost daily.

John was a family-oriented person. He loved attending family affairs and yearly reunions. He had a very outgoing personality, was very helpful and independent, and very, very close to his daughters and siblings.

Proceeded in death are Roberta Johnson, Robert Cooper, Elsie Fisher, and his late wife Naomi Sweetenberg-Gray.

John leaves to cherish his memory; two daughters- Georgianna and Nancy Epps, two granddaughters, Tajuana and Sharmaine Epps, four great-grandchildren, Daisha Galloway, Laila Myers, Jai'len, and Ja'Kai Oliphant and one sister Juanita Williams.

Thank you for the services rendered by Spring Tree Rehabilitation Center, Lewis Gale and Roanoke Memorial hospitals, and High Street Baptist Church family, and Ms. Teresa Dickerson and Richard Taylor for dedicated services. Also helped by close family Tanya Wilson, Lisa Ross, Howard Johnson, and Ms. Edith Clark.

A poem from his daughters.

Our phone calls each week were filled with so much joy, laughter, and love and will be truly missed.

Our special memories of you, dad, will always bring us laughter and huge smiles.

So we could sit and reminisce the way we used to do.

You always meant so very much and always will too.

The fact that you are no longer here will always cause us pain.

But you are forever in our own heart until we meet again.

We all love you Dad.

Acknowledgments:

Perhaps you sent a beautiful card or sat quietly in a chair.

Perhaps you sent pretty flowers if so we saw them there.

I know you spoke the kindest words that any friend could say.

Perhaps you were not there at all, just thought of us that day.

Whatever you did to comfort our hearts, we thank you very much for your part.

With love, gratitude, and appreciation.

-The Family