in his own words
in every issue
Photographed by Liz Odom
Josh Epps
wearing many shirts
I feel really fortunate to have had so many great opportunities in my life. Since
this is the annual fashion issue, I guess it is appropriate that I describe some of
those as the shirts I wear (or have worn).
When I was a student at the University South Carolina, I had planned to play
football. Timing was a bit unfortunate for me, in that Ryan Succop (who now plays
for the Kansas City Chiefs) came to school just as I took off my red-shirt going into
my sophomore year. But, in many ways, that proved to be the best of both worlds.
I have a praying mother, and I think that was a way of God answering her prayers
of keeping me safe (I never touched the football field) while persuading me to go to
college to get an education. I was blessed to have the opportunity to be a Gamecock which, in so many ways, disciplined me to do well in school and really taught
me a lot about life. I was coached by both Lou Holtz and Steve Spurrier, both college football legends, which is pretty remarkable. It was at Carolina that I met my
beautiful wife, Rachel, who was studying Criminal Justice.
I am so fortunate to wear my work shirt. BB&T has a great reputation as
a bank, both locally and throughout our footprint. I started out working in
Charleston with BB&T for about a year and a half before the bank offered me an
opportunity to move to Florence. In Charleston, I was a personal banker; but,
then I was moved to Florence for management responsibilities. I was at our Second Loop location for about two years. Three years ago, I was asked to open the
new Financial Center on Palmetto Street. Managing two locations here in town
gave me an opportunity to meet a lot of BB&T’s personal and business clients in
separate markets. It ultimately prepared me for my most recent role with the
bank as a Mortgage Loan Officer. God really has shown me favor in my career
with BB&T, and I am blessed to be where I am at today.
Away from work, wearing my golf shirt is what helps me to unwind and enjoy
the outdoors. I have always been inherently competitive, and golf allows me
to compete against myself and the course each time I play (unfortunately, the
course usually beats me up pretty bad!). I started playing a little over four years
ago when I moved to Florence, and I have continued to improve each year. That,
to me, is what it’s all about - getting better in whatever I do.
As a young child, I began participating in another outdoor activity. I grew up
hunting with my father. I really enjoy deer hunting, mostly; but, being outdoors -
“I really enjoy wearing all of the shirts, but the husband shirt is my
most enjoyable. I hope one day to wear a father shirt, as well. The
most difficult part is trying to wear all of them at one time!”
period - is an opportunity I am really appreciative of each time I get out there. The hunting shirt is similar to the golf one, in that
it really allows me to sit back and enjoy the outdoors at a much different pace of life than I am used to experiencing in the office.
The newest off all the shirts, and the one I am learning how to wear properly, is my husband shirt. Though we met in college,
Rachel and I have been married just under one year. She is a very loving wife, who is very supportive of my work schedule - which
tends to be a bit demanding. At times, my job probably takes a bit of our time that we should have to ourselves, but she has been
really supportive and understanding through it all. As I understand this new role a little more (over the next year or so), I will
probably be better at wearing this husband shirt.
I really enjoy wearing all of the shirts, but the husband shirt is my most enjoyable. I hope one day to wear a father shirt, as well.
The most difficult part is trying to wear all of them at one time! There is not one that is necessarily more difficult than the next,
the issue is when I need to wear two or more shirts at once.
I have been blessed beyond words. God has given me the health, the favor and the opportunities to wear all of the different shirts
I have worn. It is interesting to look back and see how none of this was because of my own self-righteousness but only because of
His favor and blessing. I often have to remind myself that God has given me the opportunity to wear each of these shirts. I hope
that I don’t miss the mark as a husband or as a parent to my unborn children. This life is so temporal and can be so short, we don’t
have long to leave impressions. When all of these earthly shirts are no more and I stand before God, I pray that He will say I made
a lasting, positive impression on others. I hope I will have been just half the man my dad has been as both a husband and a father.
Josh Epps grew up in Rembert, South Carolina, and moved to Sumter at age 8. He graduated from Sumter High School in 200 B