Obituary for Victoria Epps (Nelson)
Before the break of dawn on February 6, 2021, our beloved Victoria Epps, affectionally called "Doll," peacefully departed this life in Chesapeake, Va. to be with the Lord.
Victoria (92) was born on May 7, 1928 to the late Henry Footman and Theola Nelson in the county of Clarendon in South Carolina. She received her education in North and South Carolina and Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk, VA. She completed the two year program in cosmetology and beauty culture at Norfolk Division of VA State College and Evans Beauty College. She lived up North for a number of years and attended the Wanamaker Institute of Industries while living in Philadelphia, PA.
After two marriages, she continued to pursue her interest in beauty culture. She was a member of Cordelia Green Beauty Forum, the Virginia State Beauticians Association Institute of Cosmetology, the National Beauty Cultural League, Theta Nu Sigma National
Sorority, Epsilon Chapter, and Dudley Cosmetology University, having received her BA, MA, and Doctoral degrees.
Being a hard worker, she started her own business called Dolls's House of Beauty in Portsmouth, VA. She was a member of the Sunrise Hill Civic League in her community. She enjoyed travelling, going on cruises, going to workshops and conventions, working with the NAACP, voter registration, and the Democratic Party.
She later married Melvin Epps, Sr., creating a blended family of three children and two stepchildren. They enjoyed family outings and annual family reunions with the Upshur-Epps family, the Battle-Moseley family, and the Nelson-Hampton family. They supported the New Horizons, a singing group made up of men and women from all walks of life whom God rescued and made new through Jesus Christ.
Victoria and Melvin began attending Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Norfolk, VA where they came to faith in Jesus Christ. They served on the J.W. Matthew Usher Board and were NAACP representatives for the church.
They later became members of Total Life Church in Chesapeake, VA, where they continued to serve faithfully, supporting the church's ministries until their health began to fail.
She was preceded in death by her late husband, Melvin Epps, Sr. and a son, Lester Watkins.
She leaves to cherish her memory: two daughters: Arthalia Wilson and Ronnie Glaspie; a stepdaughter, Brenda Tyler (Terry) and a stepson, Melvin Epps, Jr. (Linda); a sister, Cynthia Farmer; 22 grandchildren and great grandchildren; a host of relatives, friends, and church family.
We will miss her sense of humor, generous heart and spirit, and love for God, family, friends, and life.
The Apostle Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 "But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep. . . Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore, encourage one another with these words."
Acknowledgment
The family of Victoria Epps gratefully acknowledges the prayers, support, phone calls, thoughtfulness, acts of kindness, expressions of love and comfort by our many friends and families. Special thanks to Pastor Mark Churn and members of the TLC family. Your labor of love and service will not be forgotten. Additional thanks to Visiting Physicians Association, Sentara Home Health, Chesapeake Regional Comfort Care and Hospice staff, and members of the Group Life Family of New Life Church in Kempsville.
May God bless all of you.
The family of the late Victoria Epps
Interment
Roosevelt Memorial Park
Professional Services Rendered By:
Graves Funeral Home, Inc.
1631 Church Street
Norfolk, Virginia
Victoria (92) was born on May 7, 1928 to the late Henry Footman and Theola Nelson in the county of Clarendon in South Carolina. She received her education in North and South Carolina and Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk, VA. She completed the two year program in cosmetology and beauty culture at Norfolk Division of VA State College and Evans Beauty College. She lived up North for a number of years and attended the Wanamaker Institute of Industries while living in Philadelphia, PA.
After two marriages, she continued to pursue her interest in beauty culture. She was a member of Cordelia Green Beauty Forum, the Virginia State Beauticians Association Institute of Cosmetology, the National Beauty Cultural League, Theta Nu Sigma National
Sorority, Epsilon Chapter, and Dudley Cosmetology University, having received her BA, MA, and Doctoral degrees.
Being a hard worker, she started her own business called Dolls's House of Beauty in Portsmouth, VA. She was a member of the Sunrise Hill Civic League in her community. She enjoyed travelling, going on cruises, going to workshops and conventions, working with the NAACP, voter registration, and the Democratic Party.
She later married Melvin Epps, Sr., creating a blended family of three children and two stepchildren. They enjoyed family outings and annual family reunions with the Upshur-Epps family, the Battle-Moseley family, and the Nelson-Hampton family. They supported the New Horizons, a singing group made up of men and women from all walks of life whom God rescued and made new through Jesus Christ.
Victoria and Melvin began attending Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Norfolk, VA where they came to faith in Jesus Christ. They served on the J.W. Matthew Usher Board and were NAACP representatives for the church.
They later became members of Total Life Church in Chesapeake, VA, where they continued to serve faithfully, supporting the church's ministries until their health began to fail.
She was preceded in death by her late husband, Melvin Epps, Sr. and a son, Lester Watkins.
She leaves to cherish her memory: two daughters: Arthalia Wilson and Ronnie Glaspie; a stepdaughter, Brenda Tyler (Terry) and a stepson, Melvin Epps, Jr. (Linda); a sister, Cynthia Farmer; 22 grandchildren and great grandchildren; a host of relatives, friends, and church family.
We will miss her sense of humor, generous heart and spirit, and love for God, family, friends, and life.
The Apostle Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 "But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep. . . Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore, encourage one another with these words."
Acknowledgment
The family of Victoria Epps gratefully acknowledges the prayers, support, phone calls, thoughtfulness, acts of kindness, expressions of love and comfort by our many friends and families. Special thanks to Pastor Mark Churn and members of the TLC family. Your labor of love and service will not be forgotten. Additional thanks to Visiting Physicians Association, Sentara Home Health, Chesapeake Regional Comfort Care and Hospice staff, and members of the Group Life Family of New Life Church in Kempsville.
May God bless all of you.
The family of the late Victoria Epps
Interment
Roosevelt Memorial Park
Professional Services Rendered By:
Graves Funeral Home, Inc.
1631 Church Street
Norfolk, Virginia