Fred Roe Eppes, S r.
Funeral services for Fred Roe Eppes, age 90, were held on Sunday, August 31, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. at Eighth Avenue Baptist Church in Teague. Bro. Roy Prather and Rev. Richard Gillet officiated. Interment followed the services at Union Cemetery near Freestone with Masonic graveside rites.
Visitation was held on Saturday with the family present from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Bowers Funeral Home in Teague.
Fred Roe Eppes was born on December 15, 1934, to Fred and Arie Lee Sartor Eppes in Donie Texas. The middle of three children, he passed away in Teague, Texas, on Thursday, August 28, 2025.
From an early age, Fred cultivated the work ethic that he would later instill in his children. When he was old enough to learn what money was, he began trapping and selling animal skins. He worked in the fields along with his father and could have given those claiming to be homesteaders a lesson in what homesteading really is. He grew up taking the wagon to town and remembered when electricity came to Donie, Texas. After high school, he began working in the oil fields of south Texas. He not only worked on the rigs themselves but also dabbled in geological surveying before being hired by the then Rock Island Railroad in Teague. He would continue to rough neck when he was cut off by the railroad. It was during one of those times that he would walk into the Rainbow Café in Buffalo, Texas and meet the love of his life, Mary Lou Jones Eppes. They married in 1959 and shared 46 years together before being parted by her death in 2005. Fred would continue to work for the railroad for 42 years as an engineer before retiring. He wore many hats during those years including rancher and master gardener. He was known for growing massive gardens (at one time he even had three!) and giving much of the produce to friends, family and widows in the community. In his later years he was known for his white beard and overalls and was often confused for Santa Claus by young children. He was a proud Mason, Shriner and member of the Scottish Rite. He was past master of Boggy Lodge #739 in Teague where he was a member for over 65 years. Fred was a man of many talents and could talk railroading, ranching or investing with equal aplomb. He had a wry sense of humor and often you had to look and see if those blue eyes were twinkling to know he was kidding or not.
Although not a demonstrative man he loved his family fiercely and is survived by his three children, Fred Roe Eppes, Jr. and wife Gail of Ft. Worth, Susan Worley and husband Kevin of Frisco, and Libby Eppes of Teague; four grandchildren, Justin Worley and wife Kayla of Clarksville, TN, Kaitlyn Worley of Plano, Aubrey Todd and husband Eric of Ft. Worth, and Duncan Worley of Frisco; and dear friend, Anson Rhea and wife Megan of Teague. He is also survived by nieces and nephews as well as numerous cousins.
Mr. Eppes was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and siblings.
The family requests memorials made to Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, P.O. Box 122027, Dept 2027, Dallas, TX 753122027 or online at www. scottishriteforchildren. org or to the Shriners Children’s Hospital, Office of Philanthropy, 815 Market St., Galveston, TX 77550 or online at www. shrinerschildrens.org.
Please visit our website at www.bowersfuneralhome. net to sign the online guestbook or leave a message for the family.
