Jean Woody Eppley

Jean Eppley 1940-2017 Jean Woody Eppley, 77, of Gastonia, passed away at her home on Sunday, November 26, 2017 with her loving family by her side. Jean was born in Burnsville, North Carolina and was the daughter of the late Rassie and Ocie Randolph Woody. Jean was a graduate of Drexel High School where she was Homecoming Queen. She attended Gardner-Webb College for 1 year where she met the love of her life, Wayne. Jean was a member of First Baptist Church, Gastonia where she was active and was a member of the Choir. She was a Sunday School Teacher for 40 years at First Baptist Church and her former Church, Cramer Memorial United Methodist Church. Jean also led Girl's in Action for several years at First Baptist Church. Jean loved going to the Y.M.C.A. where she enjoyed water aerobics with a great group of friends, calling themselves "Water Babies". Jean lived her life in service to others. Jean was a volunteer with Meals on Wheels of Gaston County for 20 years. She led monthly Bingo games at Rosewood Nursing Home for years and provided monthly meals to the Women's Shelter. Jean was very active in the Gaston County Democratic Party and Democratic Women, where she served as President, receiving the Katie Mae Oates Award in 2011 for dedication to the Gaston County Democratic Party. She also worked the election polls. Jean retired as Group Home Manager with Gaston Residential Services. Jean was a loving wife, daughter, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and sister to all of her family and loyal friends. Jean also loved the North Carolina Tarheels! Jean loved to entertain and cook for family and friends. Her love and giving spirit will live on in her children, grandchildren and great grandchild. Jean is survived by her loving husband of 57 years, Wayne Eppley; one son, Brett W. Eppley and wife Lisa of Roswell, Georgia; three daughters, Susie Miller of Belmont, Lynne Mohr and husband Glenn of Suwannee, Georgia, Jamie McAllaster and husband Barry of Waxhaw; brother, Lynn Woody and wife Peggy of McLeansville, North Carolina; sister, Geraldine Rector of Morganton, North Carolina; seven granddaughters, Emma Carson Miller of Gastonia, Sydney Mohr, Grace Mohr of Suwannee, Georgia, Sally McAllaster, Addie McAllaster of Waxhaw, Cate Eppley, Sophie Eppley of Decatur, Georgia; one great granddaughter, Isabella Jean Chin. The family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church, 2650 Union Road, Gastonia with a Celebration of Life Service to follow at 3:00 p.m. Thursday with Rev. Steven T. Fuller officiating. Interment will be private and at a later date. Jean was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Shelton Woody. Memorials may be made to Women's Shelter of Gaston County and Meals on Wheels, c/o Department of Health and Human Services, 330 Dr. Martin Luther King Way, Gastonia, North Carolina 28054 or First Baptist Church, 2650 Union Road, Gastonia, North Carolina 28054. Online condolences may be made at: www.withersandwhisenantfuneral.com ; Withers and Whisenant Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 2916 Union Road, Gastonia, NC (704) 864-5144 is serving the Eppley family.