Community mourns loss of Chloe Epperly: Jeweler, businesswoman, friend to all
Epperly
November 13, 2019
Vinnie Roberts
On Saturday, November 9, Barry County lost one of its most beloved citizens. Chloe (Tomblin) Epperly, co-owner and operator of Tomblin’s Jewelry, of Cassville, passed away in her home. What she leaves behind is a legacy of positivity and good nature, the likes of which cannot be overstated.
“Chloe never criticized, condemned or complained about anybody,” said Cherry Warren, former presiding commissioner of Barry County. “If she didn’t have anything good to say, she wouldn’t say anything. She never did complain about her life and you couldn’t out-give her. Whatever you’d give her, she’d give you more. She was that kind of person.”
Epperly was born on May 25, 1951, in Fairfax, Okla., to parents Maurice “Wayne” and Tommie Tomblin. Epperly’s family moved to Cassville in the 60’s. It was around this point that her father, already a trained jeweler, opened up Tomblin’s Jewelry at its original location on the south side of the Cassville Square in 1964.
A year later after graduating from Cassville High School in 1969, she married her husband, Charles Epperly.
Ten years later, in 1979, Epperly would find her true calling when she was asked to return to Tomblin’s Jewelry to work under her father full-time.
“He got sick, and they asked her to come and help her dad, so she came back from cosmetology school and was with that store ever since,” explained Barry County treasurer Lois Lowe, a personal friend of Epperly. “My husband I have known her since her family came to town, and she’s always been the kind of person that she was known to be.
“She was always there to help anyone she could: friends, family, employees and even school kids selling ads for fundraisers.”
According to Bob Mitchell, former owner of the Cassville Democrat and current columnist, Chloe took the business on in full, following in her father’s footsteps and gaining further education.
“She was specifically interested in following in her father’s footsteps,” said Mitchell. “She went to Kansas City to a jewelry repair training facility. When she jumped in, she took over.”
“In some aspects, she reminds me of her dad,” Mitchell explained. “She had a love for that business and was determined to keep the name and business location from the fire that destroyed it right on up until today.”
After her father’s passing, Epperly continued to run the store and, by all accounts, excelled in that capacity.
“She always had a great interest in you as a person and as a customer,” said friend and Freedom Bank president Stan Kelley. “She really wanted to serve you in her business. She had the power to ask what you or your spouse wanted for a gift, and she could use those clues to find a very desirable gift for whoever.”
“We would go down there and get gifts for our associates, and you could tell her what you wanted, and she would always come back with great ideas,” continued Kelley. “She was very price-conscious with the customer. She would always try and find the right gift to get them in their budget. She was never trying to oversell or push.”
Even when a tragic fire threatened to end the business forever, Epperly and her sister, current Cassville Chief of Police Dana Kammerlohr, were determined to save their family’s business as well as their legacy.
“They had the fire that destroyed the old business and the question was what to do with it,” said Mitchell. “Then, Chloe and Dana jumped in and were bound and determined to keep the Tomblin’s name over that shop.”
Though she has left this world, what she leaves behind is a legacy of unrivaled kindness and prosperity.
“She was like a blessing to all of us,” said family friend Anne Warren. “She was the kindest, most Christian person you could ever ask for. I had never known her to get angry. She was always so generous to everyone; took care of her business, and she was the sweetest, most loving person I’ve ever met.”
Epperly is reported to have been a friend to anyone, often treating people of all walks of life with unparalleled respect and dignity.
“She was a friend of just about anyone she met. I don’t know of any enemies that she’s had, and I’ve known her for a long time,” said Lowe. “She liked to teach people and have conversations. It’s unbelievable how many people from all walks of life knew her.”
“She wouldn’t want too many praises heaped on her, I think,” explained Cherry Warren. “She was well-respected in the community. The world would be a better place if we had more of her.”
Chloe Nell Epperly, a respected businesswoman and a charitable soul that has been mourned by the community at large, was laid to rest on Tuesday, November 11, at Oak Hill Cemetery in Cassville. For her complete obituary, see page 8A.
Vinnie Roberts
On Saturday, November 9, Barry County lost one of its most beloved citizens. Chloe (Tomblin) Epperly, co-owner and operator of Tomblin’s Jewelry, of Cassville, passed away in her home. What she leaves behind is a legacy of positivity and good nature, the likes of which cannot be overstated.
“Chloe never criticized, condemned or complained about anybody,” said Cherry Warren, former presiding commissioner of Barry County. “If she didn’t have anything good to say, she wouldn’t say anything. She never did complain about her life and you couldn’t out-give her. Whatever you’d give her, she’d give you more. She was that kind of person.”
Epperly was born on May 25, 1951, in Fairfax, Okla., to parents Maurice “Wayne” and Tommie Tomblin. Epperly’s family moved to Cassville in the 60’s. It was around this point that her father, already a trained jeweler, opened up Tomblin’s Jewelry at its original location on the south side of the Cassville Square in 1964.
A year later after graduating from Cassville High School in 1969, she married her husband, Charles Epperly.
Ten years later, in 1979, Epperly would find her true calling when she was asked to return to Tomblin’s Jewelry to work under her father full-time.
“He got sick, and they asked her to come and help her dad, so she came back from cosmetology school and was with that store ever since,” explained Barry County treasurer Lois Lowe, a personal friend of Epperly. “My husband I have known her since her family came to town, and she’s always been the kind of person that she was known to be.
“She was always there to help anyone she could: friends, family, employees and even school kids selling ads for fundraisers.”
According to Bob Mitchell, former owner of the Cassville Democrat and current columnist, Chloe took the business on in full, following in her father’s footsteps and gaining further education.
“She was specifically interested in following in her father’s footsteps,” said Mitchell. “She went to Kansas City to a jewelry repair training facility. When she jumped in, she took over.”
“In some aspects, she reminds me of her dad,” Mitchell explained. “She had a love for that business and was determined to keep the name and business location from the fire that destroyed it right on up until today.”
After her father’s passing, Epperly continued to run the store and, by all accounts, excelled in that capacity.
“She always had a great interest in you as a person and as a customer,” said friend and Freedom Bank president Stan Kelley. “She really wanted to serve you in her business. She had the power to ask what you or your spouse wanted for a gift, and she could use those clues to find a very desirable gift for whoever.”
“We would go down there and get gifts for our associates, and you could tell her what you wanted, and she would always come back with great ideas,” continued Kelley. “She was very price-conscious with the customer. She would always try and find the right gift to get them in their budget. She was never trying to oversell or push.”
Even when a tragic fire threatened to end the business forever, Epperly and her sister, current Cassville Chief of Police Dana Kammerlohr, were determined to save their family’s business as well as their legacy.
“They had the fire that destroyed the old business and the question was what to do with it,” said Mitchell. “Then, Chloe and Dana jumped in and were bound and determined to keep the Tomblin’s name over that shop.”
Though she has left this world, what she leaves behind is a legacy of unrivaled kindness and prosperity.
“She was like a blessing to all of us,” said family friend Anne Warren. “She was the kindest, most Christian person you could ever ask for. I had never known her to get angry. She was always so generous to everyone; took care of her business, and she was the sweetest, most loving person I’ve ever met.”
Epperly is reported to have been a friend to anyone, often treating people of all walks of life with unparalleled respect and dignity.
“She was a friend of just about anyone she met. I don’t know of any enemies that she’s had, and I’ve known her for a long time,” said Lowe. “She liked to teach people and have conversations. It’s unbelievable how many people from all walks of life knew her.”
“She wouldn’t want too many praises heaped on her, I think,” explained Cherry Warren. “She was well-respected in the community. The world would be a better place if we had more of her.”
Chloe Nell Epperly, a respected businesswoman and a charitable soul that has been mourned by the community at large, was laid to rest on Tuesday, November 11, at Oak Hill Cemetery in Cassville. For her complete obituary, see page 8A.
