WEST POINT — Eppie Pridgen Smith “Miss Eppie”, age 80, passed away on November 9th, 2021. She was born the daughter of William Albert and Leila Belle Pridgen of South Carolina.
A little country girl from the beginning, Eppie was born and raised in Horry County, South Carolina on her dad’s farm. She helped out on the farm as did her siblings. She graduated from Floyd’s High School and followed the “reading, writing, and road to Richmond” country saying by joining her siblings in moving to Richmond, Virginia. She was a switch board operator at C & P Phone Company. While on a bus ride she met and in time would marry her late ex-husband. They moved back to South Carolina until the mid 70’s, then returned to Virginia. She made her home here, as she finished raising her six children and lived the last 47 priceless years.
Best known as “Miss Eppie”, she proudly returned to the work force by becoming the dishwasher at Fisherman’s Warf. Later working for McDonald’s, Tony & Georges Restaurant, 7-Eleven, Rennie’s and lastly Spencer’s where she would retire. Some knew her as an amateur historian of West Point. She was beloved everywhere. She warmed people with her kindness, joy, and gentle soul.
“I never wanted a diamond ring, a fur coat, or a trip to New York,” she would say proudly. Her joy lay elsewhere. Her greatest joy was her family. She delighted in attending family gatherings and babysitting her grand and great grandchildren. Other passions were sightseeing the world, viewing the night sky, beholding the change in fall colors, observing people, and watching airplanes taking off and landing. Her leisure activities included watching her favorite sports (anything Clemson Tigers), pecan hunting, fishing, and crabbing. She enjoyed reading, listening to classic country music, jig-saw puzzles, word searches, playing and winning at rummy, and (of course) hot coffee with homemade pound cake! She was an accomplished seamstress often making clothes for family. Her cooking and canning will be missed.
It is fitting that her spirit animal was the turtle. Eppie remains a symbol of perseverance, steadfastness, protection, retreat, healing, and transformation. She will forever be an angel.
She had a generous heart, giving to various charities including St. Jude, March of Dimes, Disabled American Veterans, Wounded Warriors Project and 4-PAWS.
She was preceded in death by her parents Albert and Leila Belle Pridgen; sisters, Esther Odom and Euletta (June) Roberts; brother Ernest Pridgen; and son-in-law James Barrett.
She is survived by her six children: Lisa Majors (David), Susan Marshall (Mike), Albert Smith, Joseph Smith (Miriam), Mary Sumner (Joseph Andrew) and Patrick Smith.
Grandchildren: Christian Nicole, April (James), Michael, Amanda, Ashley, Gabriel and Xavier.
Great grandchildren: Destiny, Phoenix, Joey and Hailey.
Siblings: Ethel Pope (Ernie) and Edith Tiller.
And many cousins, nieces and nephews.
It is hard to express the depth of loss we each feel for her. Her love was unmeasurable. Just as her baby girl told her “she is our everything”.
The family of Eppie Smith would like to thank everyone involved in her care for their kindness, dedication, and efforts.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.