Obituary of Joann Epps

Joann Epps passed away on Sunday, December 10, 2017 at CentraState Medical Center in Freehold, NJ.  She was predeceased by her parents, Herman and Sally Kate Pressey; her husband, Abel Epps; brothers, Vernon and Herman Pressey; sisters, Shirley Beneton and Dorothy Greene, and great-grandson  Aizen Ingram 

Joann was born March 7, 1946 to  Herman and Sally Kate (Dobie) Pressey. She was one of seven siblings. She was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY until moving to Freehold NJ in January 2010.   She was a very hard worker at a young age.  She babysat, ironed and washed clothes as a teenager to help take care of her family.  She met her loving husband Abel “Sweet Daddy Zeke” Epps through her cousin, known to them as Aunt Laura. They married February 27, 1965 and their union produced 2 children, Pamela and Belinda. They were married 47 years until Abel’s death in September 2012.  She obtained her high school equivalency, worked at the World Trade Center as a transcript dictator. She began employment with the NYPD in March 1983, working as a Police Administrative Aide for the 108th Precinct, Central Bookings, Manhattan Courts, and 73rd Precinct. Adored by all, she witnessed to many, giving hope, and even started a prayer group at the 73rd Precinct where she worked until retirement December, 2003. 

Joann gave her life to the Lord in June 1982 after her first grandchild was born.  On March 20, 1983, she became a member of the Church of Calvary Tabernacle (also known as International Christian Center) in Staten Island, under Pastor Benjamin Crandall.   During its humble beginnings, she became a member of Christian Heritage Zoe Fellowship in March 24, 1987 under Rev. Charlie Mae Davis. She was ordained as a minister January 5, 1997.   Christian Heritage is where she received her foundation for teaching and preaching.  She was involved in many ministries- preaching every other Friday, teaching Sunday School, doing home visits to witness before Sunday service, street ministry, praise and worship leader, soup kitchen, prison ministry, counselor, and Chaplain to name a few.  Joann was a member of Monmouth Worship Center Church, where she served as a prayer intercessor, facilitator for Women's Bible study and a volunteer at the Care Center.  She also co-labored with her friend and former co-worker Velda Horton in a prayer-line ministry called “God’s Relentless Warriors”.  She prayed for our nation and the sick through intercessory prayer, preached every Tuesday, reaching many across the country and leading them to the Lord. Her strength in the Lord and her love for God was beyond our understanding. 

A phenomenal woman of God, Joann stood true to the word of God.  She was committed and persistent in prayer and her walk with Christ.  She was very loving and devoted to her family and relentless in her faith, constantly pressing the throne, fighting spiritual warfare, and praying for her family’s salvation which was her hearts desire. God’s light and presence was all over her whenever she entered a room with her warming smile and pure heart.  Joann always said “the enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy. He hates family, and loves discord.” She poured into her family constantly saying “there is nothing too hard for God.” She was her family’s Legacy.  She always said “I have had so much heartache and hard times from a young age, but my best years came from my Salvation, God’s grace and mercy towards me is what kept me, and since giving my life to the Lord 35 years ago, it has been such a sweet life! He’s sweet I know.”

 Joann transitioned to Heaven with worship and prayer surrounded by her family and friends present in the room and on the phone.  She is survived by her daughters, Pamela Epps (Samuel Kershaw) of Binghamton, NY and Belinda  (Andre) Ingram of Trenton, NJ; eleven grandchildren: Lateefa (Allen), Andre Jr., Wendell, Latoya, Brandon (Aldrica),  Shareeka, Andray (Dayonah), Aaron, Avery, Imani, and Joyann;  twenty four great-grandchildren; sister, Rosalyn Rivers and brother, Ronald Pressey;  Sisters-in-love , Mary,  Josephine and Karen (Talman); god-children Nicole and Desmond; loving nieces, nephews  and a host of  church members, family and friends.  Our loss is Heaven’s gain.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her visitation at the Monmouth Worship Center, 37 Vanderburg Road, Marlboro on Saturday, December 16, 2017 from 9:00 to 11:00 AM with her homegoing service to follow at 11:00 AM.  Interment will follow in Forst Green Park Cemetery, Texas Road, Marlboro.  For information, directions or condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.