Epperson, Ralph Deward   

MOUNT AIRY - Mr. Ralph Deward Epperson, 85, of 312 Robin Road, Mount Airy, passed away Wednesday, May 31, 2006, at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem. Mr. Epperson was born April 5, 1921, in Patrick County, Va., to the late Harry and Lula Watson Epperson. Mr. Epperson graduated from Blue Ridge High School in Ararat, Va., and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in radio engineering from John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Ark. He later received an honorary doctorate law degree from John Brown University. He worked at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C., during World War II. Mr. Epperson founded the first radio station, WPAQ 740 AM, in Surry County in 1948. Throughout the years, he founded and helped organize WBRG in Lynchburg, Va.; WPNC AM and FM in Plymouth; WPMH in Portsmouth, Va.; and WBRF 98.1 FM in Galax, Va. Ralph received numerous community-service awards and made many contributions to the preservation of music native to the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina and Virginia. In addition to his many awards, Ralph received the "Roses While You Live Award" from the National Council for the Traditional Arts and was recently inducted into the North Carolina Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame. N.C. Gov. James Hunt presented Mr. Epperson the Governor's Award for Small Businesses. He has numerous recordings in The National Archives of the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian Institute and the library at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. When applying for his broadcasting license, Ralph made a commitment to the FCC that he would set aside time each day to promote local musicians and to maintain a family-oriented style of programming, including the teachings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Ralph was a faithful member and Sunday school teacher at First Baptist Church in Mount Airy for many years. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Earlene Shaw Epperson, of the home; two children and spouses, Deborah and John Stringer of Galax and Kelly and Jennifer Epperson of Mount Airy; five grandchildren and a spouse, Brian and Annette Sizer, Steven Sizer, Virginia Sizer, Hal Epperson and Jillian Epperson; two stepgrandchildren, Elizabeth Stringer and Mary Plant; four siblings and spouses, Harry Arnold Epperson Jr. and Olive Epperson of Winston-Salem, Roy and Josie Epperson of Claudville, Va., Mary Lee King of Mount Airy and Stuart and Nancy Epperson of Winston-Salem; several nieces and nephews; and a sister-in-law, Betty Shaw Phillips, of Greensboro. In addition to his parents, Mr. Epperson was preceded in death by a sister, Lucy Epperson Bowman. The funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 4, at First Baptist Church in Mount Airy. The service will be officiated by Dr. Roger Gilbert. Burial will follow in Oakdale Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, June 3, in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church in Mount Airy. Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 714 N. Main St., Mount Airy, NC 27030, or to Unity Presbyterian Church, c/o Georgia Watson Anderson, 400 Mears Road, Claudville, VA 24076. Moody Funeral Services in Mount Airy is serving the Epperson family.