Ann Blakeway Jemison Epps, 94, daughter of the late Joan Antoinette Blakeway Jemison and Robert Jemison III, died peacefully in her sleep October 12, 2026.
She was preceded in death by her husband of over 60 years, John Stephen Epps, as well as her sister, Carol Jemison Lacy. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Charlotte Elizabeth Epps McGlohon (Wayne) of Summerville, SC; her 5 children, J. Michael Epps (Carolyn) of Santa Monica, CA, Robert Burton Epps (Michelle) of Huntsville, AL, Stephen Jemison Epps (Donna) of Huntsville, AL, Bruce Blakeway Epps (Amy) of Huntsville, AL and Elizabeth Ann Epps Bowers of Arnold, MD; her ten grandchildren, Benjamin Michael Epps of Santa Monica, CA, Leslie Ann Epps Loughlin (Sean) of Santa Monica, CA, Virginia Ann Epps Pilcher (Thomas) of Fairhope, AL, Jay Robert Pierce Epps (Rebecca) of Union Hill, AL, Stephen Nathaniel Epps (Kristen) of Little Rock, AR, Sarah Grace Epps White (Kyle) of Peachtree City, GA, Emily Anne Epps of Glen Burnie, MD, Margaret Ann Bowers (Jim) of Austin, TX, Ada Nellie Bowers of Richmond, VA, and Isabelle Sun Bowers, of Arnold, MD; and seventeen great-grandchildren.
Ann Epps was born in Birmingham, but lived in the countryside growing up. She dearly loved riding Tony, her pony, given to her by her grandfather, Robert Jemison Jr. who owned Springlake Farm. She was an avid swimmer in Spring Lake, but met her husband John at Roebuck Swimming Pool when she was 16. She was graduated from Ramsay High School as the Exchange Club Scholarship Award winner, given to the top high school student (valedictorian) and presented to her, by her father, Robert Jemison III, an active Exchange member. She attended Randolph-Macon Woman’s College in Lynchburg, VA. After marrying John, she moved frequently because of his changing Army postings. Arriving in Los Angeles with 2 boys, she added a third, as her husband began a civil career in engineering. A job transfer to Thiokol brought them to Huntsville, where she completed her family with yet another boy and, finally, a girl!
Ann joined The Church of the Nativity in 1957. She was active in the church women’s group and volunteered at Huntsville Hospital. At home she kept the books, paid the bills, and filed the taxes. When her husband retired, she spent many happy years with him. They gardened at the lake or fished, with Harry the beagle as a constant companion. Many a happy summer vacation was spent at the beach, especially the even-year family reunions beginning in 1986, when all five children would rent beach homes for a week-long family gathering.
After her husband’s death, she lived by herself, enjoying TV, especially Auburn football and Braves baseball. Frequent visits and care were given by her children, as well as by her recent caregiver and sitter, LuAnn Capshaw, to whom we are most grateful.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be given to The Episcopal Church of the Nativity, where a private chapel service will be held.
