Mellie Jo Eppes

Mellie Jo Eppes was born on December 3, 1923 in Personville, Texas to William Welton and Exa (Stephens) Richardson.  She grew up in Mexia and after graduating from Mexia High School, she entered Westminster College in Tehuacana, Texas where she earned an Associate of Arts Degree.  Continuing her education, she received both a Batchelor’s and Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Houston.

Mellie met Hollis Eppes, SR. while he was on leave from the Army in downtown Mexia.  She continued to live in Mexia with her mother and father until WWII ended in 1945.  When Hollis returned, they married and moved to Pasadena, Texas where they lived for 55 years.  They were blessed with two sons, Hollis Eppes, Jr. and William Welton Eppes.

Mellie was a 1^st grade teacher at South Shaver Elementary for over 30 years.  After her husband passed away, she moved to New Braunfels to be near her family.  She lived there for 19 years.  Soon after moving to New Braunfels, Mellie joined the Oakwood Baptist Church where she remained a member until she passed away on Tuesday, June 20, 2023.

She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Exa Richardson; and her husband, Hollis Eppes, Sr.

Mellie is survived by her sons, Hollis Eppes, Jr. and wife, Nita of New Braunfels, TX and William Welton Eppes and wife, Beth of Dalton, GA; eight grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, and one great-great granddaughter on the way.

A visitation with the family will be held from 10:00- 11:00 a.m., with a service beginning at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 1, 2023 at Blair-Stubbs Funeral Home with Brother Walter Senset officiating.  Interment will follow in the Mexia Cemetery.  Travis Eppes, Hayden Eppes, Wyatt Eppes, Beau Barfield, Hutton Eppes, and Abram Eppes will serve as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Brookdale New Braunfels, 2457 Loop 337, New Braunfels, TX 78130.