Ruth Williams

Epps

Dr. Ruth Williams Epps, of Chesterfield, entered eternal rest on ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­October 16, 2026. Ruth was born on January 28, 1946, to the late Charlotte M. Williams. She was reared by a nurturing mother and her grandparents, Deacon and Deaconess Willie Williams of Fifth Baptist Church. They shared their love with Ruth, and filled her with Christian values, a benevolent spirit, an appreciation for learning, and a healthy work ethic.

She was baptized at Fifth Baptist Church, Richmond, Virginia,. In 1971, she married Thomas Henry Epps, Jr. and transferred her membership to Ebenezer Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia by letter. A daughter and a son were born to this union, Thomalyn Ann Epps (deceased) and Thomas Henry Epps, III.

In the early 1970's, Ruth served Ebenezer as the Assistant Superintendent and Superintendent of the Church School, and later as a Church School Kindergarten teacher for 31 years. Ruth became an Assistant Brownie and Girl Scout leader and was a past Director on the Board of the Girl Scout Council of Virginia, Inc. She served Ebenezer Baptist Church on the Audit Committee, the Budget Committee, the Restoration Fundraising Committee as Co-chairman, and the Memorial Tree Committee as Co-chairman. She also sang in the 8 O’clock Chorale Church Chorus. Ruth was ordained as an Ebenezer deacon in 1998 and served in that capacity until her death. She served as Ebenezer’s Financial Secretary from June 2021 until October 2023, first as a volunteer and then in a part-time staff role. Ruth also used her experience in finance as the first Chairman of the Ebenezer Investment Committee.

She had been a member of Leadership Metro Richmond since 1999 and was a board member and treasurer of Bells for Peace, Inc., a fundraising organization for Virginia Union University’s Belgium Friendship Building tower. Ruth was a proud and dedicated Soror of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

Ruth graduated from Maggie L. Walker High School in 1963, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry at Virginia Union University in 1967, a Master of Science in Analytical Chemistry at the University of Pittsburgh in 1971, a Master of Accountancy at Virginia Commonwealth University in 1983 and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Accounting at Virginia Commonwealth University in 1987. Ruth was a certified public accountant (CPA), a member of the American Accounting Association (AAA) and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).

In 1967, Ruth joined the Peace Corp and taught chemistry and other sciences in West Africa for two years. In 1983, she began teaching accounting at Virginia Union University and in 1987 she joined the Accounting Department at Virginia Commonwealth University and served as Chairman of the Department for 11 years. After 27 years of service at Virginia Commonwealth University, Ruth retired in May 2014.

Surviving are her faithful husband of 55 years, Thomas Henry Epps, Jr.; son and daughter-in-law, Thomas Henry Epps, III and Jean Epps of Bear, Delaware; two grandchildren, Olivia Epps and Thomas Henry Epps, IV, all of Bear Delaware; sister, Charlene Frederick of Raleigh, North Carolina; sister-in-law, Sandra Epps Tracy of Smithfield, Pennsylvania; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Remains rest at Scott's Funeral Home, 115 E. Brookland Park Blvd., where viewing will be held from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. Thursday, October 29, 2026. An Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Ivy Beyond the Wall Ceremony will be held 11:30 a.m. Friday, October 30 at Ebenezer Baptist Church, 216 W. Leigh Street followed by the family receiving friends until 1:15 p.m. followed by funeral services at 1:30 p.m. Interment Riverview Cemetery.