Philip Fenton Eppard, longtime resident of Auth Village, died May 4 at his home in Ocean Pines. He was born at home in Washington, to Dr. George and Louise Hiller Eppard. He weighed only 2 ½ pounds at birth.
He grew up in a big family, with nine siblings, in NE Washington, attended Benning Elementary, Elliot Jr. High, and Anacostia HS. He joined the Air National Guard; the day after he graduated, the Korean War started. He served two years of active duty and four years of reserves.
After returning to civilian life in 1952, Phil landed a job in the photo lab with the U.S. Navy Hydrographic Office in Suitland, retiring as a Branch Chief in 1987, with 35 years of government service.
On November 30, 1957, Phil married Shirley Mae Ammann. They moved to Auth Village where they raised six daughters, Lynn, Pamela, Robin, Michele, Nancy Leah and Diana. There are now 16 grandchildren, four great-grands, and one great-great-granddaughter.
Phil joined the Lions Club International in 1977 and was an active member of the Silver Hill Lions for more than 50 years, holding just about every office, some more than once. He was active in the Auth Village Civic Association and Christmas in April.
He was a regular blood donor for more than 50 years.
Phil and Shirley were on several duckpin bowling teams. He had season tickets for the Washington Redskins, loved baseball and trips to the Senators (Nationals), with kids in tow. He also loved hockey and more sports and was an avid golfer.
The Eppards were active members of St. Philip the Apostle, Camp Springs, where he had been a lector and headed a Youth group. In recent years, they were active at St. John Neumann, in Berlin, where his funeral was held.
Phi is survived by his wife Shirley, sisters Virginia and Jan, a large and loving family, his golf and R.O.M.E.O (Retired Old Men Eating Out) buddies.
“Pillars of Our Community,” Prince George’s centenariansThe 27th Annual Centenarian Celebration was held Friday, May 17 at the Laurel-Beltsville Senior Activity Center, with Vanecia Davis, Master of Ceremonies.
Wanda Ramos, Deputy Director of M-NCCP (Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission) gave the official Welcome. Remarks, by Peter A Shapiro, Chair of the M-NCCP Planning Board.
Lunch was followed by a roster of Centenarians, The Pillars of Our Community:
106 years: Velma Long and Irene Blade105 years: Clementine Ruffin103 years: Theresa Graves and Willie J. Covington102 years: Norma Proctor-Dorsey, Mamie Ellis and Vivian Taylor101 years: Mildred Taylor, Evelyn Poole, Rachel Mertz, Lawrence Freeman, Ruth Jones and Margaret Miller100 years: Margaret McNeal, Bernadette Marlow, Ralph Nardone, Cassandra Egloff, Catherine Hall, Cleotilde Charczenko, and Lena Henderson99 years: Martha Price and Marjorie Anderson
I wonder if any of those centenarians mentioned above might be from Morningside or Suitland, Camp Springs or District Heights. Let me know (muddmm@gmail.com).
Town of MorningsideCongratulations to all our centenarians! Even though they make my 95 seem insignificant.
Morningside will kick off Summer with an Ice-Cream Social and Roller Skating on Saturday, June 22, 5:30-8:30. with an Ice Cream Social & Roller Skating. Enjoy a Hot Dog Dinner and Ice Cream Bar. There’ll also be a Giveaway and Raffle Tickets for Sale. Admission free.
The annual Morningside Fourth of July Parade is coming up on Thursday, July 4. Following the parade, there’ll be a Family Fun Day, and at dusk, fireworks. Volunteers are needed; call 301-736-2301 to volunteer.
GI Liquors has installed about ten cement posts in front of the store. I’m sure this is to prevent another car from plowing through their front windows. The ads on the posts are clever.
I’ve talked to several locals who’ve gotten tickets for speeding on Suitland Road, caught red-handed by the two recently-installed speed cameras. Slow down!
Neighbors & other good peopleLarry and Jody Nyers of Conway South Carolina (formerly of Morningside) became first- time grandparents on May 9, 2024, with the birth of Eleanor Rose Gonzales to their daughter Kerri and her husband Junior. “Lennie,” as the baby is called, is tiny but mighty and getting stronger every day. Jody says, “We are blessed to the heavens for our little miracle.”
Ms. Kathy Russell has been named the 2024 Prince George’s County Teacher of the Year! She has been with PGCPS for 26 years and is a Language Arts teacher at Rose Valley Elementary School in Fort Washington.
GraduatesEmail me (muddmm@gmail.com) with information about your graduate.
Changing landscapeRed Lobster has filed for bankruptcy and are shutting down across the country. Apparently their “endless shrimp” deal was among its death blows. However, the company plans to “focus on retaining employees and streamlining its menu.” Red Lobster was founded in Florida in 1968. We still have our Red Lobster at 5051 Auth Way, in Camp Springs. Others are listed in Lanham and Alexandria.
Target, according to The Washington Post, “is slashing prices on thousands of everyday basics,” including bread, milk, meat, fruit, and diapers.
A home at 6313 Suitland Road has sold for $374,000.
Rumor of the weekHas anybody heard the word that, next year, some of the students from Suitland High School will be transferring to Wise, and some will be attending Forestville High? Let me know what you know.
Milestones
Happy Birthday to Paul Elborne and Jacob Cook, June 2; Darius Nalley-Stoddard, June 3; Rich Landon, June 5; Fay Norton-Cummings and Malik Reed, June 6; Trisha Reamy, June 7;
Ryan Fowler and John Nichols, June 8.
Happy Anniversary to former Morningside Councilwoman Carol (Kline) and Tom DeGraba, their 30th on June 4; Bucky and Debbie Tretler, their 48th on June 5.
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