Ellen Alexis (Richardson) Epperson

Ellen Alexis Richardson Epperson passed away at her family ranch on October 5th, 2024. She was a fourth-generation member of the Sonoma County pioneer Richardson and Lancaster families of Stewarts Point and Cazadero. Born 25 November 1945, Ellen was named after her great-grandmother, Ellen Lancaster, who migrated as a young woman to California from Maine to live with her uncles; Charles and Andrew Lancaster, later marrying Webster Moses Richardson, the brother of Herbert Archer “H.A.” Richardson. Growing up, Ellen Epperson was a member of the Girl Scout Troop that met at Fort Ross. She attended Santa Rosa High School, often bringing her friends home to the family ranch for fun filled weekends of camping, swimming, hiking, and horseback riding. She graduated from Santa Rosa Junior College and moved to San Francisco to attend Schaefer School of Interior Design. Despite living in San Francisco, Ellen kept strong ties to the community at home, remaining active with the Farm Bureau’s “Young Farmers & Ranchers” club in Petaluma. Moving back to Sonoma County, she raised sheep throughout her life, loved crafts, enjoyed making beautiful flower arrangements, and was a highly skilled seamstress– once making a soft top for her son’s CJ5. She was a member of the Church of the Nazarene in Santa Rosa. Ellen will be remembered by her family and friends for being a devoted mother and grandmother. Preceded in death by her grandparents, Andrew Richardson and Eleanor Cannon, parents Norman Richardson and Margaret Ross, her brother, Ross Richardson, and her former husband, Samuel A. Epperson Jr. Ellen is survived by her son, Samuel A Epperson III, his wife, Charity, and a grandson, Tristan Epperson, along with numerous cousins and her sheep. Services will be held Friday, October 18, 2024, at 11:00am at Lafferty & Smith Colonial Chapel. Burial will follow at the Cooper Cemetery in Cazadero. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to: Farm Bureau Foundation of Sonoma County.

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