Stuart Watson Epperson Sr. or "Big Stu" has fought the good fight, finished his race and is now in the presence of Jesus, the one he loved, served and told everyone about. Stuart Epperson was Chairman and co-founder of Salem Media Group, a Christian broadcasting company with more than 100 radio stations including 67 stations in all of the top 25 markets. Salem also operates SRN News which has more than 2,700 affiliates. Salem became a publicly traded company in 1999 and is listed on NASDAQ. Stuart served as Chairman since founding the company in the 1980s with brother-in-law, Edward Atsinger. He has been involved in broadcasting since he was 7 years old when his late brother Ralph Epperson built a radio station in the home farm house in Ararat, Virginia, in 1943. He loved hearing testimonies of hundreds of listeners whose lives have been changed by the Power of the Gospel heard over the air. Stuart worked in all areas of broadcasting, even as a disc jockey. He built his first radio station in 1961 in Roanoke, Virginia, and soon after, he built WKBX, Winston-Salem, and WRBX. Chapel Hill. He was inducted into the North Carolina Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2015. In 2005, Stu was named by Time Magazine one of The 25 Most Influential Evangelicals in America. In 2004, Stu was honored as the American Free Enterprise Medalist, by Palm Beach Atlantic University. He was the Republican nominee for U.S. Congress 1984 and 1986 for the North Carolina 5th District. Stuart was deeply involved in helping at-risk kids and the homeless in Winston-Salem; Jacksonville, Florida, and other cities. He was one of the founders of the Winston-Salem Rescue Mission. He was the founder of Salem Pregnancy Support Center, One Kid At A Time - a mentoring program, and the Christian Association of Youth Mentoring, a national effort to find mentors for at-risk kids. He also started Kidz Xtreme, an inter-city Christian Youth Program focusing on Section 8 Housing, as well as the Promise Farm in Ararat, Virginia, a wonderful ministry to our wounded warriors and active duty families. He just celebrated 60 years of marriage to Nancy Atsinger Epperson, the love of his life. Stu was born and grew up on a small tobacco farm in Patrick County, Virginia. Nancy was born in Honolulu, Hawaii and grew up in Southern California after her family was evacuated following the attack on Pearl Harbor. They met at Bob Jones University. Stu is survived by his wife, Nancy A. Epperson; his four children, Kristine Pringle (Doug), Stuart Epperson Jr. (Julie), Karen DeNeui (Todd), Kathryn Fonville (John), 24 grandchildren and one great-grandchild (plus two on the way). Stuart is also survived by his sister Mary Lee King. His favorite verse is Romans 8:1 "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Celebration of his life will be Friday, July 21 at 3 p.m.at Calvary Baptist Church on Peace haven Road in Winston-Salem. The family would be honored to receive guests at 1 p.m.. There will also be a viewing and graveside celebration on Saturday, July 22, at 10:30 a.m. at Unity Presbyterian Church in Ararat, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Delmarva Educational Association, a non-profit outreach started by Big Stu to continue supporting his many ministry passions. The mailing address is: 7235 Bentley Road, Jacksonville, FL 32256 or online: www.thepromisefarm.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Moody Funeral Services Inc - Mount Airy.
Isaac Silenthawk
October 5, 2024
When I first met Stu I was known as Jakob Nelson. Mr. Epperson had a great impact on my life, he took me in as a member of his family. I met him at Calvary Baptist Church when I was 12 or 13. My mom had been trying to find a mentor for me but I was to old for the Big brother Big sisters program. The first time I met him he took me out to eat with his family at macaroni grill and then had me rake leaves off his tennis court to earn money. He provided me a means to be able to make money honestly. When I was younger I broke into houses and so he told me that if I ever needed money I could come work for him in his yard. Mostly I would pick up sticks sometimes there would be other things like the time Bobby and I cut down a tree and pulled it with ropes. It would take me up to the house in Arat Virginia that he grew up in. Whenever I was locked up in prison he always accepted my calls also made sure to order Christmas packages for me so that I would have something special. The greatest thing that I could say that Mr. Epperson did for me was to just be there. He spent time with me doing a little things that weren't that important but he was there. I grew up without a father in my life and he filled a hole in my heart and life just by being available. I thank God that I met him. I just heard he had passed on 10/04/24 from Cindy ( bless that capable lady) and it is the first time I cried in years. I will surely miss him.
Bob Fischer
July 14, 2024
Stu was a great man, a wonderful friend and a humble friend of God. I miss him and always will. God bless you Stu and see you soon.
Olivia Rogers
August 19, 2023
Dear Epperson family, I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your husband, father and grandfather. I have such fond memories of coming to your house and also joining the family and friends at Macaroni Grill after church. Just by observing, I learned so much about faith and family from both Mrs. And Mr. Epperson, and of course my dear dear friend Kristy. Love to you all. My condolences, Olivia (Park) Rogers
Loyd H Faircloth
July 22, 2023
Stuart, Thank You for all your hard work and God Bless...
Pat Bullock
July 21, 2023
Epperson family
I´m so sorry for your loss. I remember Mr. Epperson who was a very kind gentleman. He would bring young boys to our church to visit. He really cared about the kids.
Take your rest sir
Derek Godfrey
July 21, 2023
A great man that will be missed. My condolences to the family and may God comfort you at this time.
Sherry Owen
July 21, 2023
I did not know Mr Epperson but recognized his name. Prayers for Gods grace, peace and comfort. What a wonderful testimony his life was and will continue to be for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Sherry Owen
Phillip Glenn Sr and wife Lowlita and Phillip Glenn Jr.
July 20, 2023
We will miss you dearly!!! Mr Epperson and family are what family is about. Loving, Christian family.
Esther Novotny
July 20, 2023
The Novotny's are so sorry for your loss. Stu was a great man and honored God in all his ways. He will be greatly missed by many. He raised a wonderful family! He reached so many for Christ. It was an honor to know him. He was a friend and joy to all who knew him at Calvary. Heaven's gain and Earths loss. Prayers for each of his family especially, Nancy, his dear children and grandchildren.
isaac l howard (IKE)
July 20, 2023
""CONDOLENCES TO THE EPPERSON FAMILY FROM AN OLD WS AND EAST WINSTON SALEM FRIEND THAT HE SUPPORTED IN MANY ENDEAVORS THOUGH THE YEARS !!
Tom Underwood
July 20, 2023
Very sorry to hear of Stu 's passing . I remember well when he was running for Congress in 1984 .
Stu came and spoke at my church , Woodland Baptist Church, here in Winston- Salem .
Peace and God bless the family .
Bethabara Moravian Church
July 19, 2023
SO sorry for this memorable loss. Prayers for the family for inner peace to come. May God bless you all . God has a new Angel.
Bethabara Moravian Church
Congregation.
Annette Stevens Grove
July 19, 2023
He was such an example of a godly man. He was always humble and made you feel right at home in his presence. Humane Nancy were a big part of my growing up in a Christian School. They will always be in my heart.
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