LIVING

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: 277X-4BS

Notes:

Sources: Social Security Death Index for birth and death dates.

SS Number: 486-42-0575

Farmer/Postmaster. Described as kind and respected with a keen sense of humor.

LAND: Historic Inventory, Office of Historic Preservation, PO box 176, Jefferson City, MO, 65101, No. S-13; NOTE: b. 1893, continued framr after death of father. he was the last of the Eppersons to live there. Following his death, the house was rented awhile. It was purchased in 1970 by James and Dorothy Gonnerman, until 1980. It has been vacant since.

Leonard, the youngest of 4 sons, stayed on the farm with his father and after the death of James M. Epperson, he and wife, Elta, bought out all of the other heirs plus and additional 120 acres, making a total of 514 acres in the farm. During the spring of 1935 Leonard suffered a severe attack of rheumatoid arthritis...had to hire most of the work done that year. Leonard was appointed Postmaster of the Hurdland, MO post office in the spring of 1937. He continued to operate the farm, while postmaster, by getting young farmers to go into partnerships. He started several young farmers into the business, until the farm was sold, fall 1969, to a young neighbor family. Leonard was a regular attending and loyal member of the Primitive Baptist Church.

Letter from Dora Ella & V.J. Miget, dated 1/15/76:
Dear Jo & Jim:
Your letter came yesterday, so I tossed out the letter I had started a few days ago.
We are sorry to hear about Mr. Epperson's death. All who knew him will surely miss him. He was the sort of man who walked softly but left big footprints; spoke softly, but you remembered what he said.
Many times there is a great man living among us, yet we don't realize he is great until he is gone. We take them for granted, when they are close to us. Some are een referred to as "mild-mannered" when indeed, they are "well-mannered". Because they do not talk loud and show off, we think people are not paying attention. How many times we have known, seen and heard a bigot make people feel bad or small with his bragging. He tries to have the floor and be the center of attraction. When he walked away, do you remember what he said: If so, had it added anything to your life? There are those kind.....
Then there are the Mr. Epperson's. I remember how his eyes twinkled when he told a story, then little wrinkles around his eyes grew deeper as he smiled; which he did often.
I remember how he spoke about the land as if he were very close to i; and how he spoke about the livestock as if they were his friends. Somehow one had visions of rolling hills covered in green grass, which rippled as the soft breezes blew by; about a blue sky with a few puffy clouds rolling across the face of a brilliant sun. He spoke of the ponds, the streams, the lakes where he loved to fish.
* Dora Ella has confused this with the way your grandfather loved to relate the stories you boys and your Dad brought back from your fishing trips.
He loved your three boys dearly, for he spoke of them with such pride and devotion. Sometimes he told talkes on them, teasing them abou ttheir short-comings, but he still spoke with respect and love. He was so delighted when a few small fish were caught; he was pleased when the boys pitched in to help clean them. He told us of a story once after one of the fishing trips aobut the "big one who got away". One of the boys had stepped in the stream duirng the escitement, and they tried to get him dried out before thye got home. The water was shallow, and there was no danger; but it's not easy to explain those things to parents, expecially a mother. He didn't want the boy scolded because they had had such a great day.
How do you remember these things: Because when Mr. Epperson spoke he had something to say. And people listened and learned from him. All our lives have been touched in some way by him. He had great wisdom about many things. I remember, too, the great game of bridge he played; he taught me many things about the game, sometimes without realizing it. he loved people, loved children, and he loved babies. Do you remember how taken he was with Karen? He held her and called her a "beautiful little lady:. Of course, I agreed.
Remember him? Oh! Yes, with great affection! Miss him? All of you will. Noone will ever take his place or begin to fill the void. Grieve for him? No! Never! He would have all of you standing together, loving each other and caring for each other, and enjoying the wealth of wonderful memories he has left for you all.

Harry married Elta Leona WOODS on 17 Dec 1918 in Macon, Missouri, United States. Elta (daughter of Chester WOODS and Margaret Priscilla SLEETH) was born on 5 Jun 1893 in Brashear, Adair, Missouri, United States; died on 3 Nov 1992 in Kansas City, Jackson, Missouri, United States; was buried on 6 Nov 1992 in I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Hurdland, Knox, Missouri, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: KH1C-XBJ

Notes:

At the time of her death she was living with her daughter Virginia in

Her funeral was held in Kirksville, Adair, MO.

Debate over middle name at the time of her death: Leona or Leon? Jo Epperson's research indicates that Elta went by Leon although legal documents may insist otherwise.