Olga Aileen "Eileen" Pepperman's Obituary
Olga Aileen “Eileen” Pepperman has left her earthly home on February 20, 2021 to be reunited with her family and friends in heaven. Eileen was born in Boothville, LA on August 12, 1924 to Linn Clingman Tompkins and Olga Elza Schoenberger Tompkins. Eileen was the oldest of the “Katzenjammer Kids”, as the neighbors called her and her siblings. She grew up with the best brother and sisters: Shirley Tompkins Harrison, Linn Tompkins, Ariel Tompkins Shetley, and Claire Tompkins, (all have preceded her to Heaven).
Eileen grew up at the mouth of the Mississippi in a community that reached out and helped each other. Her father was murdered and died before her when she was only 8 years old and her mother worked day and night to keep her children together. Eileen and her siblings walked to the one-room schoolhouse until eighth grade, and then she attended Boothville High School, where she worked in the school cafeteria . She graduated and headed to New Orleans with her sister Shirley. Eileen worked in the shipyards as a “Rosie Riveter” until the end of WW2 and then began her career with Bell South/ATT.
She met and married Alfred F. Pepperman in New Orleans, and they lived in Kenner and Metairie for twenty years before divorcing, but remaining close friends until Alfred’s death. They had two biological children, Christine & Paul Wesley that went to heaven as infants. Then they were graced with two children by adoption. David, married to Beth Scheer and they have 4 children: Diane, her daughter, has 2 children with her former husband and her sweet adopted daughter Victoria Grace.
Eileen was blessed with seven grandchildren: Joshua (married to Emma); Caleb; Raychel (married to Daniel); and Sarah Pepperman. Kate Calcote-Flowers (married to Brandon); James (married to Lindsey); and Victoria Grace Calcote.
She also had six great grandchildren: Haven, Elijah, Isaiah, Silas, Avangeline Flowers and Jenna Lynn Calcote. She loved creating quilts for each of them and cooking meatballs and spaghetti and her famous pound cake.
Eileen lived in Franklinton, LA were she had many close friends. She eventually settled in Covington, LA. She joined the Ozone Square Dancing Club and loved her time dancing with them. She volunteered at St. Tammany Hospital for over 15 years. She was a life long church goer: Kenner United Methodist Church; St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church in Metairie; and Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Covington.
Eileen had many passions. Number one---her family and friends. She never met a stranger and could talk to anyone. She loved baking, quilting, reading, gardening, and travel.
Eileen has an amazing extended family of nieces and nephews that have blessed her life with so much joy and kindness. She would talk of them often and loved reminiscing with all of her old photos. She was fortunate to have them visit, bring her places, write and call.
Olga Eileen Tompkins Pepperman was a brave, kind, loving woman and after 96 amazing years has earned the privilege of rest ….and she is probably dancing too!
In lieu of flowers please send a donation to: Volunteers of America
Donate.voa.org or 4152 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70129
Due to COVID-19, social distancing is encouraged and masks are required to attend services.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral services at E.J. Fielding Funeral Home, 2260 W. 21st Avenue, Covington, LA 70433 on Saturday February 27, 2021 at 3:00 PM with visitation on Saturday beginning at 1:00 PM.
E.J. Fielding Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Please sign the E.J. Fielding Funeral Home online Guest Book at www.ejfieldingfh.com.
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