Lorene Bryant Epps

Lorene Byant Epps, 90, of Hahira passed away in her sleep at Fellowship Home Brookside on May 28, 2017. She fought a valiant fight with Alzheimer's for the past few years. She was surrounded by her two daughters and granddaughter Candise, when she entered into heaven.

Born February 11, 1927 in Autreyville, GA she graduated from Pavo High School in 1945. She was Navy Cadet during World War II at the Candler Hospital School of Nursing in Savannah, GA having joined to serve in the Armed Services as a field nurse during the war. She graduated shortly after the end of WWII as a Registered Nurse and worked in her chosen profession for over 40 years.

While at Candler she met her husband of 51 years –Lt. Colonel Thomas "Tom" Brandon Epps Sr. USMC Retired. Together they traveled across the nation as he served his country in WWII, the Korean War, and Vietnam. She was a nurse throughout his military career serving in many hospitals throughout the nation. She was an accomplished writer having authored four (4) books one of which portrayed the life of her brother Jimmy Bryant ('Fastest Guitar in the Country') and who was one of the original Sons Of The Pioneers with Roy Rogers.

She led an adventurous and full life. During her husband's military career she was at his side dancing at the USMC Military Balls, golfing in tournaments, and hosting officer wives events. After retirement Tom and Lorene took to the road in their motor-home traveling in all 50 states, Canada and Mexico always beginning every journey playing "On the Road Again" by Willie Nelson. Her hobbies included painting, jewelry making, gardening, wood working, playing the piano and guitar, and most important being with her grandchildren. She was a member of Hahira United Methodist Church where she sang in the choir. She also sang and played the guitar with the singing group Lost Dogs Found at the church.

She is survived by her three (3) children – Thomas Brandon Epps, Jr (Beth) of Charleston, SC; Denise Epps Viorde (Vic) of Daytona Beach, FL and Josie Epps Brooks (Owen Prince) of Hahira, GA; three (3) sisters Faye Britt of Bainbridge, GA, Janell Laughlin (Bob) of Randleman, NC, Connie Casteel (Steve) of Moultrie, one bother John Calvin Bryant (Faye) of Moultrie, GA; nine (9) grandchildren Brandon Epps, Brett Epps (Cydney), Bryant Epps all of Charleston, SC; Valerie Barboza (Andy), of Ormond Beach, FL, Victoria Viorde and Veronica Corleto (Danny) of Katy, TX; Candise Thorpe of Tucson, AZ, Stuart Brooks, of Hahira GA, and Corporal Mason Brooks USMC stationed in Honolulu, HI; ten (10) great grandchildren, her Aunt Myrtice Littles of Moultrie, GA, and her beloved Chihuahua Angel.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years Lt. Colonel Thomas "Tom" Brandon Epps Sr. USMC Retired, her parents John Ivey and Lulu Gray Bryant, and seven (7) siblings – Jimmy Bryant, Troy Bryant, Clinton Bryant, Thelma "Mickey" Yeager, Billy Bryant, Betty Bryan, and Julia Perkins.

Graveside services for Lorene Epps Bryant will be held on Thursday June 1, 2017 at the Pleasant Hill Baptist Cemetery, Pleasant Hill Church Road, Berlin, GA 31722 at 11:00 AM. The family will receive friends at the Martin/McLane Funeral Home in Hahira Wednesday evening from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.mclanecares.com. Martin/McLane Funeral Home.



Funeral Home:
Martin/McLane Funeral Home
401 S. Church Street
Hahira, GA
US 31632