Rev. John Epps passed away Thursday February 26, 2026 at his residence. Funeral service will be held Monday, March 09, 2026 12:30 pm at St. Matthews United Methodist Church 600 E Florida St, Greensboro, NC 27406.

Visitations: 11:30 am

Burial will follow at Guilford Memorial Park 6000 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407.

Reverend John Frederick Epps, a devoted servant of God and a beloved patriarch, transitioned to his heavenly home at the age of 93. A man of profound faith and unbreakable determination, Rev. Epps loved the Lord and cherished his family and God's people. With over forty-one years of ministry, he did more than shepherd souls; he built communities and left an indelible mark on every life he touched.

Born on June 6, 1932, in Kingstree, South Carolina, John was the youngest of ten children born to the late David and Charlotte Epps. His story began in the humble, challenging environment of the Jim Crow South, where his parents worked as sharecroppers. Though he was orphaned at an early age, John refused to let tragedy or poverty define his horizon. Raised by an extended family who recognized his potential, he became a "self-made man" in the truest sense.

To fund his dreams, John worked sweeping streets and laboring at a café during his years at Tomlinson High School . His determination only grew as he transitioned to Morris Brown College in Atlanta. He put himself through school by working as a bellhop in Atlantic City every summer to earn next year's tuition. After earning his B.A. in Psychology and joining the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, he followed God's calling to the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) in Atlanta, where he earned his Master of Divinity degree.

While in divinity school, John's faith met the fire of the Civil Rights Movement. He was an active participant in the struggle for racial justice, joining his fellow students in marches and sit-ins. This era shaped his lifelong belief that with a strong work ethic, self-determination, and an unwavering faith in God, any obstacle could be overcome.

At the heart of John's life was his beautiful 50-year marriage to the love of his life, Margaret Olivia Hodge . Theirs was a true partnership—a union of souls that extended far beyond the walls of their home and into the heart of the church. Together, they moved through the challenges and triumphs of the ministry as a unified team. While John stood in the pulpit, Margaret often worked alongside him, providing the hospitality and grace that made a congregation feel like a family. Their partnership was the bedrock upon which John built his ministry, and together they exemplified a life of shared devotion to God, their children, and the communities they served.

Rev. Epps began his pastoral journey in Crisfield, Maryland, within the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, later becoming one of the first Black ministers to integrate the United Methodist Church in N.C. He dedicated the remainder of his career to the Western North Carolina Conference (WNCC) , where he pastored numerous churches over four decades, including St. Stephens UMC, St Mark UMC, Hunter's Chapel UMC, Hartzell Memorial UMC, Simpson-Gillespie UMC, St Andrews-Grace UMC, Memorial UMC, St. Homes UMC, and St. James UMC.

John absolutely loved the United Methodist Church and serving God's people. He was a "builder" in every sense - responsible for building God's kingdom as well as the physical construction of two new churches in Charlotte, NC. His leadership extended to numerous high-level boards within the WNCC, including the Board of Ordained Ministry, which is responsible for ordaining candidates for ministry. He was particularly fond of mentoring young pastors, serving as a spiritual father to many "sons and daughters in the ministry."

His leadership extended beyond the pulpit into education. As a tireless voice for equity in schools, John taught at the then Kittrell College in NC and served as Dean of the Chapel while pastoring. During his tenure, Kitrell opened its doors to Black high school students from Virginia when Prince Edward County, Va completely shut down its public schools rather than integrate them in response to the landmark 1954 Brown v. Board of Education ruling.

John also never met a stranger. He would strike up a conversation with anyone and loved talking for hours about almost any subject, especially if it involved church business. He was a man of great humor, who loved to laugh and regale others with amusing stories.

Despite his many travels and professional achievements, John never forgot where he came from. He maintained a deep, soulful connection to his extended family in South Carolina and returned to visit his relatives whenever he could. These trips to Kingstree were a source of great renewal for him; he took immense pride in his roots and his family's legacy. He was particularly fond of fellowshipping with his cousin Harvey McClam , whom he loved and viewed as a little brother. Whether they were sharing stories of the past or discussing the present, these moments of connection were among his most cherished.

As a father, John delighted in his daughters, Donna and Tiffany. He was an active, devoted presence, who stressed the importance of education and faith. Whether he was helping them with homework, cheering them on at awards ceremonies, or moving them across the country to start new chapters, John was devoted to his daughters. He taught his "girls" that nothing is impossible with God if you have a strong, lasting faith. He thought that people could get ahead even when things were very hard. He told his daughters never to give up when things got tough. "You can make it if you try" was his favorite saying.

After he retired, John loved spending time with family and friends. He especially liked spending time with other pastors. Whether they were going for morning walks in the mall or eating at his favorite K&W Cafeteria, he relished the camaraderie of his pastor-friends. In his final years, he lived with his daughter Donna and her husband Eric Bradford, whom he loved as the son he never had. During those years, he enjoyed the simple grace of sitting on the deck, taking walks and talking with the many friends and former members who called to check on their beloved pastor.

Survivors: Reverend Epps is reunited in heaven with his beloved wife, Margaret Olivia . His legacy lives on through his daughters, Donna Epps (Eric Bradford) and Tiffany Epps ; his cherished granddaughter, Amber Frye ; and his sister, Ella Gee Russell .

He is also fondly remembered by his sisters-in-law, Ether Epps, Mary McLean ; and Dr. Elizabeth Hodge ; his "little brother," Harvey McClam ; and a vast host of nieces, nephews, cousins, former congregants, and mentees.