Funeral services were held March 28 at St. Patrick Church, Jersey City, for Dr. Charles Thomas Epps, Jr. of Jersey City, 70. He passed away peacefully at home on March 17. Charles earned his BA Degree from Bishop College in Dallas, Texas, his MA Degree from Seton Hall University, and his Ed.D. from Rutgers University. He devoted his entire adult life to serving the children of Jersey City, committed to creating an environment that ensured a joyful experience for students and staff alike.
He started his career in the Jersey City public schools as a teacher at PS 15, and over the following 45 years he rose through the ranks of coordinator, supervisor, principal, director, associate superintendent, and finally superintendent, where he served from 2000 until his retirement in 2012. Charles prided himself on the positive relationships he established with the community, the parents, the staff, and most especially the children of Jersey City. He also served as an assemblyman representing the 31st District from 2006-2008 following an overwhelming election victory. He fashioned his professional life around his motto: “Because it’s the right thing to do.”
He was widely respected for his kind and compassionate approach to people, regardless of their circumstance or station in life. Charles was a diehard Dallas Cowboy fan. While Charles was always vocal and expressive about how much he loved his job and the people he worked with, there was no greater joy for him than family. He was predeceased by his son Jonathan Charles Epps and his parents Charles and Pauline Epps. He is survived by his daughters Ashley Carson (Darrell) and Tara Stafford, his granddaughter Jaycee V. Fierro-Epps and her mother Marzella Fierro, his brother Rev. Dr. William Saxe Epps (Agretta), his sister Paula Epps-Johnson (Jerome), nieces Jacqueline and Andrea, many cousins and a host of friends too many to mention but all of them very to him. He was filled with excitement in anticipation of the birth of his new granddaughter, due in May.
Charles was a very active community volunteer. He served on the boards of the Jersey City Public Library, The Jersey City Medical Center, Hudson Cradle Home for Infants, Hudson County Community College, Hudson County Schools of Technology, National Conference for Community and Justice, Jersey City Welfare Board, and Zion Baptist Church. He was the recipient of countless awards and honors from local, state, and national organizations for his community activism toward improving the quality of life for the people of Jersey City. Services arranged by the Watson Mortuary Service, Jersey City.