Tom Epps

POPLAR BLUFF - Tom Epps, 79, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., was born January 13, 1933, at Butler County, Mo., to the late Lawrence Mack Epps and Mary Pauline Donovan Epps. He died November 30, 2012, at Landmark Hospital in Cape Girardeau. He married Barbara Ellen Hartline on October 5, 1955, at Poplar Bluff.

Tom was an Army Veteran. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and a, life member of the Disabled American Veterans. He was active in the Democrat Party, and was also a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus.

Tom had worked at Missouri State Hospital #4 in Farmington, and also worked at John J. Pershing V.A. Medical Center in Poplar Bluff as a drug and alcoholism counselor until his retirement.  He was also active in AA for many years and made a difference in many lives throughout Southeast Missouri. He was a talented musician and singer, he enjoyed playing his guitar and singing country and bluegrass music. He played with several groups through the years, most recently "Luke and the Drifters".

Tom was a big man with a huge heart, who cared for the "forgotten" of our society.  His greatest joys were his beloved wife, his children and grandchildren and his music.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by two sisters and one brother.

He is survived by: Wife, Barbara Epps of Poplar Bluff; children, Tom (Teresa) Epps Jr. of Gassville, Ark., Kathleen (Herb) Miller of Perryville, Barbara (Mike) Woods of Austin, Texas, Christopher Mack (Shelly) Epps of Ironton, and Mary Partain of Poplar Bluff; grandchildren, Christy, Amy, Tom, Kate and Kelli, Dustin and Nick, Emilee, Charlie and Julie; and nine great-grandchildren.

Family will be receiving friends 9 a.m. until time of Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. December 4, 2012, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Poplar Bluff officiated by Rev. Mike McDevitt. Burial in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery with Graveside Military Honors.

Miller Family Funeral Home in lovingly provided arrangements.