Margaret Augustine (King) Eppes

" A Life Well-Lived":

Margaret Augustine King Eppes, age 98, died peacefully on July 17, 2024, at the Laurels, in Glen Allen, VA.

Born May 18, 1926 in Crewe, VA, Margaret was the 5th child and the second oldest daughter of the 10 children born to Willie Herman King, Sr. and Mary Agnes Sayles King. Margaret attended elementary school at Hickory Grove School in Crewe and graduated from Nottoway Training School in 1944. Margaret was an excellent student and graduated as class salutatorian. She was proud of her nickname, “the walking encyclopedia.”

Shortly after graduating from Nottoway Training, Margaret married the love of her life, Roger Cornelius Eppes (“Nootie”), on September 24, 1944. The two were married for 47 years before his death in 1991. Margaret and Nootie lived in Crewe all of their lives and that is where their 7 children were born and raised. They had 4 daughters – Carolyn Jean, Joann, Sharon, and Cynthia - and 3 sons: Roger (Jimmy), Thomas (Tommy), and Michael (Mike). The family lived in the home that Margaret and Nootie built themselves right next door to Margaret’s parents. Margaret lived in that house until her need for medical care caused her move to an assisted living facility and later to a nursing home in Richmond, VA.

Margaret was a devoted wife, mother and homemaker and, aside from “days work,” did not work outside the home until 1961 when she went to work for Crewe Laundry. She later applied her self-taught skills as a seamstress at garment factories in Amelia and Crewe.  She was a proud member of the International Ladies Garment Workers Union and served as a union representative. 

One of Margaret’s many outstanding traits was her resourcefulness. A true renaissance woman, Margaret became a home-based hairdresser after teaching herself the trade and enhancing her skills later with nighttime cosmetology classes.  She had a stream of regular clients (who were also great friends). 

In the same way she became an accomplished hairdresser, Margaret took nighttime sewing classes to enhance her sewing skills. She made many of her own and her daughters’ clothes when they were school age and outfitted brides, bridesmaids and flowers girls for several weddings of friends and family. She did alterations for men and women all across Nottoway County until well into her eighties. 

Margaret was just as accomplished a cook as she was a seamstress and hairdresser. She truly loved to cook; it was her love language as her children and grandchildren well know. Her daughters often joke that one of her highest compliments was “Hmm - your fried chicken tastes almost as good as mine!”

Baptized at Eleven Oaks Baptist Church at the age of 11, Margaret was a dedicated and active member of the church. She loved Bible study and really enjoyed exploring the scriptures and learning more about her faith. Over the years she was a member of Eleven Oaks’ Busy Women’s Circle and, following in her mother’s footsteps, was a long-term member of the Missionary Auxiliary (secretary) and Pastor’s Aide (president). She also sang in the Senior Choir and held office there. Recognizing her prudent judgment and commitment to the church, her fellow church members appointed her a church trustee (like her father before her) and at the time of her death she was Trustee Emeritus and the oldest member of Eleven Oaks Baptist Church (the Church Mother). 

Active in her community as well, Margaret was appointed by the Nottoway County Board of Supervisors to the County Library Board, and served for several years. She also managed a food program to distribute food to needy families in the County. She and her husband were recognized by Nottoway County Officials for their pioneering role in the early integration of Nottoway County Public Schools. 

Known as a smart, competent, capable (and always stylish) woman who was willing to take on any task to help friend and family, Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, Nootie, her daughter, Carolyn Jean, her parents, her brothers – Bobby, Herman, McCarroll, and Warren – and four of her sisters – Lois, Aileen, Dorothy, and Ruth. Of her siblings only her baby sister Audrey Hawkes (Richmond, VA) survives her.

She is also survived by her children, Roger (Jennie) of Newport News, VA; Thomas (Sandra) of Jackson, MS; Joann Mickens of Jackson, MS; Sharon Hanley (J.T.) of Waldorf, MD, Michael Eppes (Tichi) of Crewe, VA; and Cynthia Hudson of Glen Allen, VA; 13 grandchildren: William “Billy” Hanks, Felita “Cookie”) Jackson, Denise Wise, Tracey Eppes, Vicki Ward, Thomas Eppes, Jr., Jamie Eppes; Frank Mickens, Melissa Mickens, Taylor Hanley, Erin Hanley, Shannon Eppes, and Lauren Hudson.  She is also survived by 20 great grandchildren as well as nieces, nephews (two of whom - Maxine and Jessie - were brought up in the family circle with her own children), cousins, and beloved family by marriage.

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