Edna Jean Pepper

Edna Jean Pepper

Edna Jean Pepper, 84, of Vienna, WV, died on Aug. 27th, 2021, at Camden Clark Medical Center.

She was born on Aug. 24, 1937, in Chowchilla, CA, to Vern Austin Pickrell and Lydia Burgdorff Pickrell. Eddie, as her friends called her, was head cheerleader at Chowchilla High School her senior year.

In 1955 she married Donald Pepper, who was stationed in California in the Air Force.

They moved to Vienna, West Virginia, and became the parents of four children: Jeanne Nelson (Allen), of Guntersville, AL; Fred Pepper (Kim), of Vincent, OH; Lori Wilson (Jerry), of Cleveland, TN; and Stewart Pepper (Kathy), of Pittsburgh, PA.

Eddie drove the school van for the Seventh-day Adventist Junior Academy in Parkersburg and then worked at the Parkersburg Masonic Home. She worked for many years after that at Kmart in Vienna.

Eddie had a fun loving, adventurous spirit. Her family will remember her many hilarious escapades. She loved nothing more than hearing of our travels and adventures, too.

Having all the family together brought her the most joy, especially when it involved hearing her children sing. Her grandchildren will remember her love for them. One of them says that she leaves “a legacy of kindness,” and another remembers her as being “the nicest person I have ever known.” Her great grandchildren were her delight . She was the most encouraging mother-in-law ever. Her sisters adored her. She was a faithful friend. Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband thought she was the greatest of women.

Our hearts will have a piece missing, but the assurance that Eddie, a true believer in Jesus, is with Him now brings peace. Her legacy of love for God and for her family will live on.

Eddie was always willing to help others, often sacrificing her own comfort and time to do so. She lived a life of faithful service to others, a result of her love for the Lord. She was a long-time member of the Parkersburg Seventh-day Adventist Church. One of the highlights of her year was going to camp meeting at Valley Vista. Trips to California to see her sisters and to attend her family reunions were also things she so looked forward to.

Even in the face of horrible illness and pain recently, Eddie showed courage and strength. She was still concerned about her husband, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren before herself. She was determined to get better, yet willing to accept what the Lord had planned for her. Her family is in awe of the woman that she was.

Preceding her in death are her parents, her beloved grandparents, her brother Vern Ellsworth Pickrell and her grandson Mitchell Pepper. Survivors include her sweetheart of 66 years, Donald Pepper, sisters Lua Nadine Pickrell Marsh and Lillian Hawkins, her four children, her grandchildren Hannah Pepper, Patrick Pepper (Kelly), Hadley Pepper, Jeremy Pepper (Rebecca), Katrina Jedamski (Graydon), Jessica Pepper, Cynthia Mallinson (Mac), Marsha England, and great-grandchildren Weylin, Fauna, Daegan, Iris, Olivia, Daisy, Makayla, William, Harrison, Baker, Estelle and Evelyn and many Pickrell and Burgdorff family members.

The family would like to thank the many faithful who have been praying for Eddie. Also much appreciation to Dr. Jennifer Leavitt for her years of compassionate care.

Services will be Thursday 11 a.m. at Leavitt Funeral Home, Parkersburg. Burial will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday 6-8 p.m.

We were blessed to be loved by you, Eddie. We are so thankful that you are at rest.

Proverbs 31:10, “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies…”