Eldridge Miller
Eppard
Eldridge
Miller Eppard also known to many “Tick” Eppard, 82, of
Charlottesville passed away Saturday, February 23,
2008 at Martha Jefferson Hospital.
He was born in Elkton, Virginia on November 6, 1925,
to the late Marion Kelly and Janie Elizabeth Knighten
Eppard. He was also preceded in death by two brothers,
Owen Eppard and Shirley Eppard; one half-brother,
Bennie Eppard; three half-sisters, Flossie Hensley,
Addie Dean and Loraine Eppard; and a beautiful baby
granddaughter, who we are sure he is with now, Taryn
Michelle Barber.
His memory is left to be cherished by a very large
and loving family who will miss him very much! They
include his wife of 52 years, Ethel Marie Eppard; a
brother, Aubrey Eppard and his wife, Alma; a
sister-in-law, Lois Eppard; two sons, Jerel D. Eppard
and his wife, Sandra of Elkton, Gary Lee Eppard and
his wife, Barbara of Barboursville; two daughters,
Sandra Eppard Barber and her husband, Steve of
Ruckersville, Stephanie Eppard Dowell and her husband,
Kevin also of Ruckersville; 13 grandchildren, Carl W.
Eppard and his wife, Jennifer, Alicia M. Barber and
her fiancé, Jason Shifflett, Stephen Scott Barber and
his fiancée, Gwen Bickers, Benjamin L. Eppard, Sherry
E. Morris and her husband, Trenton, Brittani T. Barber
and her boyfriend, Wesley Conley, Cody T. Barber,
Rachel A. Eppard, Meghan M. Dowell, Kristen L. Eppard,
Brandilynne M. Barber, Brianna E. Dowell, Mikayla D.
Dowell; 4 great grandchildren, Dakota L. Dawson, Iliza
Morris, Cooper Morris and Rhylie
Shifflett; and was looking forward to the arrival of a
great-grandson
in April, Skyler Conley.
He was raised as a child on a small farm in the Mt.
Pleasant area above Elkton. As soon as he became of
age he was whisked away into the Army where he served
in Europe until his honorable discharge in 1947.
The majority of his life was then spent in
Charlottesville, Virginia. He was formerly employed by
Pepsi Cola Bottling Company and then later became a
salesman for several insurance agencies, including
Southland Life, People Life and Citizens Home. He
achieved one of his proudest accomplishments in 1975
when he founded Cavalier Exterminator. He owned and
operated Cavalier until he transferred ownership to
his son-in-law, Steve Barber.
Unable to complete his education during his childhood
years, a major milestone for Dad was acquiring his GED
and successfully completing several college courses at
Piedmont Community College. He also successfully
completed a course in real estate.
He supported various charitable organizations and was
a past member of Charlottesville Exchange Club.
Dad’s favorite hobbies included fishing, boating,
playing guitar, songwriting and spending time on his
retreat in Elkton where he enjoyed mowing grass and
riding his four wheeler. His favorite pastime,
however, was spending time with his family.
A funeral service will be held at 1:00 P.M. Thursday,
February 28, 2008 at the Ryan Funeral Home,
Ruckersville, Virginia with Pastor Don Ward
officiating. Interment will follow at Holly Memorial
Gardens.
The family will receive friends from 6:30-8:30 P.M.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at the Ryan Funeral Home.
Ryan Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
