W. John Peper
February 17, 1932 ~ November 4, 2010
ROCKY MOUNT- Dr. W. John Peper, Sr., after a lengthy illness passed at his home, November 4, 2010. He was born February 17, 1932 at the Naval Hospital in Parris Island, SC to the late Fremont and Kathleen Cook Peper. He was preceded in death by his brother Fremont S. Peper of Rockford, Illinois. He served in the U.S. Navy as a Hospital Corpsman during the Korean War. After serving nine years in the military he received an Honorable Discharge June 20, 1958 from Camp Pendleton, California which was his last tour of duty.
In September 1958, he enrolled at Tennessee Temple College in Chattanooga, TN. While at Temple Schools he organized a group called "Street Corner Christian Crusaders". On week-ends they would go to nearby towns and preach. He has served as pastor in eastern North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland and Virginia. His love for evangelism coupled with his love of music was indicative by his love for people. He never met a stranger. He had a great winsome friendly way that drew people to him.
During his pastorate in Maryland at Faith Baptist Church in Glen Burnie, he served on the SBC Radio/TV Commission Board. He was active in youth rallies, camps, pastor/deacon retreats. While in Maryland he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the College of London in London, England, June 20, 1973. After serving Faith Baptist in Maryland for 17 years, he resigned to return to evangelism in 1987 for four more years.
He retired in 1997 from Del Ray Baptist due to health issues and moved to Rocky Mount, NC. It wasn't long before he was active again in ministry as Interim Pastor of South Side Baptist. He served 13 months at South Side. He has preached in most of the associational churches in Rocky Mount, including Interim Pastor at White Level, Fishing Creek and Whitakers as well as Supply Pastor for others.
He is survived by his devoted wife Audrey Scott Peper and three sons, Warren and wife Judy of Charleston, SC, Bob and his wife Diane of Spring Hope, NC, Steve and his wife Cindy of Mount Pleasant, SC; one daughter Terrie Peper Tayon of Woodbridge, VA; nine grandchildren and one great-grandson; and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by one sister, Martha Peper Carlson of Rockford, Illinois.
His family extends extreme gratitude to Wayne and Phyllis Wells, Rob Baggett, Phil Parrish, John and Evelyn Purvis, Garland Evans and William Ward for their help and support during his illness. And also, his friends in Bunn Farm for their faithful and loving care. A very special thanks to his very dear and devoted friend Buddy Moss for his prayerful support and his weekly visits.
A service to celebrate the life of Dr. John Peper will be held at 12:00pm Tuesday, November 9, 2010 at Englewood Baptist Church in Rocky Mount. The family will receive friends from 10:30am until 12:00pm on Tuesday prior to the service. Burial will follow the service at Rocky Mount Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial contributions to Englewood Baptist Church Mission Fund, 1350 South Winstead Ave., Rocky Mount, NC 27803.
Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home, 1130 N. Winstead Ave., Rocky Mount, NC. You may share your memories and send condolences to the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com
Visitation
Englewood Baptist Church
1350 S. Winstead Avenue
Rocky Mount , NC 27804
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Tuesday 11/9, 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Service
Englewood Baptist Church
1350 S. Winstead Avenue
Rocky Mount , NC 27804
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Tuesday 11/9, 12:00 pm
Cemetery
Rocky Mount Memorial Park
4454 Dortches Blvd., Hwy 43
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
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This is Fred & Barbara Kornis
Lit a candle in memory of W. John Peper
In 1976 Dr, Peper, his lovely wife Audrey, and the believers at Faith Baptist Church in Glen Burnie loved my young struggling family as we started into the ministry. I was ordained under his ministry… and CONTINUE on today sharing the Gospel in over 20 countries of the world. PRAISE THE LORD for the life and ministry of Dr. John Peper that will bear fruit for his Lord Jesus Christ forever! We will meet in Glory ! God bless his whole family at this time of temporary loss. Fred & Barbara Kornis- Heartland International Ministries – http://WWW.HEARTFORHIM.ORG
Dr. Peper was a special person. He always had a kind word and a good story. A lot of my days were brightened by just seeing his smile. Dr. Peper loved the Lord and Miss Audrey. He always said that he was who is was due to Miss Audrey. He also loved to visit his children and grandchildren and told me of each visit. Dr. Peper will be missed in my life and many others that he touch during his ministry on earth. Well done good and faithful servant. God Bless Miss Audrey and Family.
One Sunday morning I was very ill and in severe pain. The phone rang. It was Dr Peper who said he would be preaching in a few minutes, but that he wanted to call to tell me a story. In a few miutes we were both laughing and laughing. Then he said that just before he began preaching that morning he would pray for me. I have often looked back on that day as being one of the most pain-free and joyful one all day. Dr Peper was my successor in the pastoring of Faith Baptist Church in Glen Burnie, Maryland. In the following years he included me in some of that church’s special occasions making me feel like a very special person and a part of his ministry. No pastor could have a better pastor than Dr John Peper. GOD bless his precious wife, his children and their families too. Such memories will carry them into the coming days and years with great joy and thanksgiving for a man’s life, well-lived.
I met Dr. Peper in the early 90’s at Del Ray Baptist Church in Alexandria, VA. In fact, I was just telling my husband of some of my memories of Dr. Peper the other day… he always referred to me as Little Buddy and said that Terrie and I could be sisters. Oh, how I’ve missed him and Miss Audrey, and Terrie! Peper family, I’m so sorry for your loss, but I know we’ll all be together again with the Lord! I can imagine the joy Dr. Peper must be experiencing now to be in the Almighty’s presence! I love you all so much.
Lit a candle in memory of W. John Peper
Lit a candle in memory of W. John Peper
Dr. Peper was my first pastor and he was such an important person in my life. I grew up in faith baptist church where Dr peper pastored and he had such a big heart he was always there with a kind word and encouragement and a hug. I remember being afraid of being baptised and Dr. peper helped me through the fear. He will be dearly missed but I know he is home with our God and with no pain. We love you Dr. peper and your family is in our thoughts and prayers. Kim Carter
Dr. Peper – I love you I’m not sick but this life is so short – I can say; I look forward to seeing you soon Dr Peper! When I was nine years old Dr. Peper and his family came to live with my parents, brother and I. He was a big man with a most big heart. I know he had a really big heart because he loved everyone he ever met. His heart was so big he used to go to a doughnut shop to look for new people to love into the family of God using the gospel of Jesus Christ. In 1974 I could not resist the love of our Savior lived out at home by my dad and mom – preached to me by Dr. Peper that I gave my heart to Jesus following a Sunday night service at Faith Baptist Church in Glen Burnie, MD. Dr. Peper loved me. I’m not sure why he loved me so much. I’m not too smart, handsome, or especially talented and I had a bad lateral lisp in my speech. Despite my failings Dr Peper selected me to accompany him on some very exciting Gospel Magic outreach meetings. I will always cherish the home-made illusions that he gave me. I still have them. That’s right I said home-made. These were magic tricks that Dr Peper made himself with his own hands. I’ll never forget the pride I felt keeping the secret of the magic tricks and performing onstage with Dr Peper. Dr Peper helped me be me. I will never forget Dr Peper’s love of music. I remember when Dr Peper made his first music album titled Music To Touch The Heart. I was so enamored with his new stardom status (and dear Mrs. Crew’s) I think I bought five copies of the album with my newspaper route money and had Dr Peper (and Mrs. Crew) sign every one. Today I have these songs on my iPhone. Dr Peper taught me a lot. I thank God for every moment we shared together and I look forward to the glorious day we shall be reunited. Dear Lord, please help me share your love as Dr Peper taught me to love. Brian Hart
Lit a candle in memory of W. John Peper
Dr. Peper baptized me . Faith Baptist Church was the first church I ever belonged to. I still live in the community that he and his family lived while he was pastor. Love to his whole family.
Jim & Jan Brackett Dr. Peper and his dear family will always be a part of what the Lord has done in our lives. He was our first pastor after our conversion in 1970. He taught us the fundamentals of the Christian life, how to have a Christian family and what joy it was to fellowship with other believers. He was there for us in both heartache and joy. After many years and various churches later we had the joy of fellowshipping with him and Audrey in the latter years. How wonderful it has been over the last 6 or 7 years to reconnect with them and share special memories! Thank you Dr. Peper and family.
I would like to thank Dr. Peppers family for including his obituary in the Maryland Gazette. I was a young tween when my mother took me church at Faith Baptist, where I listened to Dr. Pepper. Through the years and with each visit, I still enjoyed listening to him preach. As I am sad that he is no longer with us, I smiled when I saw his name. I truly know I will see him again. Thank you.
Dr. Peper baptized my husband, Dwight, and me at Faith Baptist Church in 1976. It was an honor to be at his homegoing service last Tuesday. His precious family greeted everyone in the same warm and loving way that he and Miss Audrey would greet worshippers after Sunday morning services at Faith. The funeral service was uplifting with wonderful tributes and stirring music of Dr. Peper’s faithfulness. He finished well indeed. I have fond memories of hearing the phrase journey mercies for the first time when Dr. Peper prayed for those who were traveling; of how he acknowledged students when they came home from college, the military or elsewhere; and of Christmas Open House each year at the Peper residence. He shared Jesus with people from all walks of life. He loved the Lord and His people. Dr. Peper was there for my family and me at Dwight’s homegoing service in 1991 and sang Thank You. It was a new song, heard for the first time at Faith Baptist. He later recorded it and sent me a tape. Each time I listen to the tape or hear it sung at church I am moved to tears. Dr. Peper lived a life dedicated to serving the Lord. His legacy lives on in his gracious wife, children, and grandchildren. May God comfort, strengthen and sustain them for now and all eternity. With loving thoughts and deepest sympathy, Christine Brooks t
Memories of Dr. Peper, by Rita Barnes I have been a member of Faith Baptist Church, in Glen Buirnie, since the early sixties, but I didn’t really understand that each Christian is to be a witness to the saving grace of Jesus Christ by word and deed. When Dr. Peper began preaching at Faith, each of his sermons was an evangelistic message. Becoming convicted, I went forward at one of his altar calls and rededicated my life to Christ. He was instrumental in bringing evangelism classes to Faith. The classes included going out in teams of three to homes in the community. We would take turns in being the lead person who actually shared the gospel and then invited the persons there to say the sinner’s prayer. Dr. Peper and Fred Kornis actually came to the public middle school where I was teaching. Fred did his chalk drawings and Dr. Peper sang and gave the gospel message. I had obtained permission from my principal who was a Christian. Dr. Peper was also very helpful to me in the early 80’s. After an unwanted divorce, I sensed the Lord was leading me to start a ministry for older singles at our Church. At that time, no women were leading adult Sunday School classes, so it was with trepidation that I went forward one Sunday morning and told Dr. Peper I believed God was leading me in that direction. Well, praise the Lord!, he exclaimed. I have been praying someone like you would start such a ministry to older singles! He helped with the ministry by singing and talking with us older singles when we began having evening meetings. Dr. Peper’s wife Audrey was always behind him in his work for the Lord. It has been no surprise their children have turned out so well. I am eternally grateful the Lord brought the Pepers to minister at Faith Baptist. In Christ’s love, Rita Barnes