Wilma Vestal Epps, the oldest child of James Madison Vestal Sr. and Geneva Walker Vestal, was born on May 26, 1929, and departed her earthly body on August 31, 2016.

She matriculated in the Winston-Salem school system and graduated from Atkins High School in 1946. In 1950, she graduated from Bennett College, where she majored in French with a minor in English. After working temporarily at Winston Mutual Insurance
Company, she began her teaching career in Salisbury, NC.

During that first summer after graduation from Bennett she met her future husband, Harold T. Epps, Sr. They married in October of 1951, and from that union three children were born: Harold Jr., Marguerite, and Jannifer. After the birth of their children, she resumed her teaching career at Stephens Lee High School in Asheville, NC. Harold Sr. died in November of 1962, and after a few years, the family moved back to Winston-Salem. She began teaching at her alma mater (Atkins High School) in 1965 and taught there for several years before being transferred to R. J. Reynolds High School. In December of 1978, Wilma married Jerry Wade.
For several years after her retirement from R.J. Reynolds in 1986, she was asked to return part-time to teach grammar. She also continued teaching in the Upward Bound program at WSSU for many years. Wilma made a lasting impression on most of her students and is regarded by many of them as their favorite teacher. She was also well known throughout the state as being a grammar expert. Students from NCA&T, NCCU, Duke, UNC, Wake Forrest, WSSU and many others relied on her expertise to proof their master's theses and doctoral dissertations.

Wilma was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church where she was a member of Church and Society, the Communion Stewardesses, the Board of Trustees, and the newsletter committee. She belonged to the Winston-Salem chapter of the Bennett College Alumnae Association (The Bennett Club) serving in many leadership positions throughout the years. She was also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Wilma was an avid reader, had an extensive vocabulary, and enjoyed working crossword puzzles (the more difficult, the better). She took pride in her children and grandchildren and was involved in all of their activities.

Wilma was preceded in death by her parents, James Madison Vestal, Sr. and Geneva Walker Vestal; her brother, James Madison Vestal, Jr. "Bub"; her sister, Mary Vestal Pratt "Lib"; and her nephew: Jay Madison Vestal.

She leaves to celebrate her life her three children: Harold T. Epps (Kathy) of Philadelphia, PA; Marguerite Epps of Atlanta, GA, and Jannifer Epps (Quentin Smith) of Charlotte, NC; four grandchildren: Erik Wiggins, Erin Wiggins Gilliam (Jai), Philip Landingham, and Kathryn Epps Roberson (Gordon); her sister-in-law, Joyce Vestal; and three great-grandchildren: Averie Gilliam, Khloe Roberson, and Edris Wiggins.

Wilma's lasting legacy to her children and grandchildren is her emphasis on the importance of education and excellence, which continues to lead them in these noble pursuits.

Funeral services will be held at 12noon Tuesday, September 6, 2016 at St. Paul United Methodist Church with Pastor Donald Jenkins officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. The AKA Ivy Beyond the Wall Ceremony will be held at 10:30am and the family visitation will be held from 11:00am until 12noon on Tuesday at the Church.