Judge Pepper

U.S. District Judge W. Allen Pepper Jr. died Tuesday leaving Cleveland and the Mississippi Delta void of a true Southern gentleman.
Pepper, born in Greenwood in 1941, and a native of Belzoni, he graduated from Belzoni High in 1959. Pepper made his home in Cleveland with his wife Virginia (Ginger) Brown, whom he married in 1967, and their son William (Will) Allen III.
He took the oath of office as a district judge for the Northern District of Mississippi on July 21, 1999, having received the nomination on March 8.
A graduate of The University of Mississippi, where he was a proud member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity and received a bachelor of arts degree in 1963, Pepper served for two years as an officer with the 101st Airborne Division of the U.S. Army.
Pepper received his Juris Doctor degree from The University of Mississippi School of Law in 1968 and he maintained a solo law practice for 30 years prior to his appointment to the bench.
Being an exceptional attorney and judge, Pepper was an even better human being.
He was a dear friend to many, influenced thousands of lives and his own life was lived as exemplary as one possibly can.
"He was a fine person," said Roy Collins. "He was very conscientious about everything he did. He was a good close friend of mine. I'm shocked. I had no idea this was coming. No idea. This was a big loss to Cleveland, Bolivar County and the state.
"He was genuine in who he was and honest in everything did," he added. "I have known him since high school. We played football against each other. We then went to college together. He is well thought of everywhere. It's hard to be so well thought of, I don't recall ever hearing a bad word about him by anyone."
Butch Caston has also known Pepper since 1983 when Caston moved back to Cleveland.
"Allen Pepper lived the Christian life," he said. "He was an example to all of Cleveland. His love for his family was always visible and to be admired.
"Among his many loves, besides his faith and family, he loved Mississippi, the Mississippi Delta and the Ole Miss Rebels. I don't think there was a person who knew him that didn't love him," said Caston.
Dr. Kent Wyatt and his wife Janice have known the Peppers for over 30 years.
"Allen and Ginger have been close personal friends of Janice and I since he moved to Cleveland 30 something years ago," Wyatt said. "I remember he was a strong backer of mine when I was named president of Delta State University.
"Allen has served Cleveland in various capacities in order to make his hometown a better place for all of its residents," he said. "He was a man of impeccable character. He was someone who you always enjoyed being around. He always made people around him feel better. He will be sorely missed."
Alinda Sledge and her late husband Tommy, were good friends with the Peppers.
"He was one of the finest men I have ever known," she said. "He was such a jovial, friendly man. It's such a shame that we lost him. Everyone will feel this loss."
Ann Steen and her husband Jim were also old friends of the Peppers.
"He was a moral man," she said. "He had values and lived by them. He lived by his commitments. He was a fine, fine person.
"We moved back to town the same year they did and have been friends all these years," she added. "He never did anything you would consider in the least anything less than upstanding. He had humility."
Pat Tibbs said it was really hard to describe Pepper in just a few words.
"He was such a kind, moral and generous man," he said. "He was very, very witty. He was an active Methodist who practiced what he believed, heavily involved in community activities.
"He was known to sing the old song 'Elvira,' when we had gatherings," she said. "He knew how to be a good friend. He was so trustworthy, a very responsible person, and totally devoted to Ginger and Will. Sometimes when he looked at Ginger, you could see how much he cared for her. "
Tibbs said he was accommodating and went with the flow, but he was so sure in what he believed was right, he was well respected.
"He would help you in any way he could," she said. "He had friends all across the board. He made a wonderful federal judge. He always had a big, big smile on his face."
Pepper maintained an AV rating in Martindale-Hubbell for 15 years and was listed in Martindale-Hubbell's Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers in the field of Civil Trial Practice.
He was a nominee for the office of president of the Mississippi State Bar Association in 1991, and served two terms as a director of the Young Lawyers Section; been on the Lawyer Referral Committee, the Admission Study Committee, the Complaints Committee, the Nominations Committee, the Legislative Committee, the Disciplinary Review Committee, the Law Office Management Committee, the Fee Dispute Resolution Committee and the Complaints Tribunal.
He has been president of the Mississippi Bar Foundation.
Pepper was elected president of the Mississippi Trial Lawyers Association in 1985 following service as continuing legal education chairman, secretary, vice president, and member of the board of governors and executive committee.
He has been chairman of the Lamar Order and a Director of the University of Mississippi Law Alumni.
He was a Fellow of the Mississippi Bar Foundation, where he was also a Trustee and a member of the Grants Committee.
He held membership in the American Board of Trial Advocates and American Inns of Court, and was a former member of the American Bar Association, was a State Committeeman for the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, a Fellow of Young Lawyers Association of the MS Bar, and a frequent speaker at legal education seminars.
Pepper was a public defender for 26 years, was a member of the Mississippi Public Defenders Association, Inc., and was a participant in the Mississippi ProBono Project.
He held membership in both the National and the Mississippi School Board Attorney's Association and was a former adjunct professor at Delta State University.
As a fair and impartial judge, Pepper also stood out amongst his peers.
Chief Judge Michael P. Mills said, "The Northern District has lost a Judge of impeccable character and a man of great personality. He was the most fundamentally decent man whom I have ever known. He was a dear friend and a beloved colleague. We will not soon get over Allen's passing. Our court family mourns his death and our hearts ache for Ginger and Will."
Judge Sharion Aycock remarked, "We are all saddened by the loss of our colleague, Judge Allen Pepper. Judge Pepper loved his family, his court family and the good people of the Delta.
"He was a dedicated public servant," she added. "His life included practically every facet of public service-- with over thirty years in private law practice, service on numerous state and national professional boards and committees, his military service, his church, his community, not to mention his exemplary service to the federal judiciary."
Judge Neal Biggers commented, "Allen Pepper was a good friend, a good judge and a good person. He was a pleasure to work with and also just to hang out with. He loved his family, his work and the Delta. He will be greatly missed by many."
Judge Glen H. Davidson noted, "Judge Pepper and I entered the University of Mississippi as freshmen. He has been a good friend, dedicated to his work, a good judge and a good man who will be greatly missed."
Active in civic affairs, he is a past chairman and was a 12-year member of the Bolivar County Elections Commission.
Formerly the president of the Lions Club, the Crosstie Arts Council and the Bolivar County Ole Miss Alumni Association, he has been vice president of the Chamber of Commerce and the Industrial Development Foundation and a director of the Delta State University Booster Club and Sunburst Bank of Cleveland, now Union Planters Bank.
In his civic capacities, Pepper always allowed his good humor to shine through.
He loved to make people smile.
"I will never forget my good friend, Allen Pepper, for a lot of reasons, including his sense of humor," said Walter Herbison, who served in the Cleveland Lions Club. "Mr. Lewis Bays, a wildlife conservation officer, was speaking to our Lions Club in Cleveland, He was explaining that they were releasing alligators to help diminish the beaver population, which was causing major drainage problems.
"Allen jumps up and said, 'Mr. Bays, if those Alligators get out of hand, what are we going to put out there to eat them?' Of course, it brought the house down. He was a quick-witted, fun guy. Always inspiring and uplifting, Allen was brilliant minded with a great personality and very wise
Herbison said Pepper was smart, witty and fun to be around.
"He told me, 'Walter, future generations will look back at our generation and say that the most significant think about us was that that we drove 65 miles an hour on two lane highways, with vehicles going in opposite directions and only a white line to divide them," Herbison said laughing. "Besides being so humorous, he was brilliant attorney. He had it all and knew it and appreciated it. He was very humble, fair to all and never compromised his convictions. He treated everyone alike, with respect."
Pepper served as chairman of the Administrative Board, Finance Committee and Pastor Parish Relations Committee of the First United Methodist Church, where he was a Sunday School teacher for 12 years, a member of the choir and Board of Trustees, Habitat for Humanity volunteer, and served as scout master of the Cub Scout Pack.
In 1996, he was recognized for his contributions to the community by being chosen King of the Junior Auxiliary Charity Ball.
He was vice president of the Fifth Circuit District Judges Association, on the board of directors of the Federal Judges Association, a former member of the Fifth Circuit Judicial Council, and a member of the American Inns of Court.
Services will be under the direction of Ray Funeral Home. The visitation will be held in the fellowship hall of the First Baptist Church in Cleveland on Saturday January 28th from noon until 2:00PM. A celebration of life service will be held next door at the First United Methodist Church in Cleveland, the Pepper's family church, at 2:30PM.
The Pallbearers for Judge Pepper will be the men and women who spent their lives protecting his life: his Federal Court Security. They include (in no particular order): Tommy Williams, Will Jacobs, Hazel Provis, Ricky Spratlin, Melvin Steadman, Charlie Murrah, Wayne Allen, US Marshall Hugh McClendon US Marshall Dwight Smith, and R. D. Williams.
Honorary Pallbearers include (in no particular order): Dr. Butch Caston, Dr. Kent Wyatt, Bill Harden, Mike Sanders, Dr. Bob Reagan, Robert Koestler, Ed Kossman, Ned Mitchell, Bill Marchant, Dr. Joe Glenn Peeler, Butler Denton, Bob Wilbanks, Charles Fioranelli, Homer Sledge, Guy Hovis, Galen Roberts, Billy Nowell, Nott Wheeler, Jr., Dr. Jack Keen, Trent Lott, Bud Whetstone, Carlysle Meek, Beau Gregory, Jimmy Heidel, Jim Steen, Dr. Stacy Davidson, Jr., Harry Flowers, Parker Howard, Rod Brasfield, Eckward McKnight, Dr. Steven Clark, Kirkham Povall, Lawrence Mellen, Dr. Bennie Wright, Dr. Mack Gorton and John Arthur Mortimer.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Elizabeth Love Pepper and William Allen Pepper. He is survived by his wife of 44 years Virginia Brown Pepper, son William Allen Pepper III, daughter-in-law Samantha Minga Pepper, and his sister Louanne Pepper Cossar and her husband George Payne Cossar, Jr. He is also survived by Louanne and George's children: George Cossar, III, Pepper Cossar, and Anne Love Cossar Perry; their respective spouses: Betty Cossar, Angela Cossar and Joe Perry: and their children: Mary Chandler Cossar, Chip Cossar, Eliza Cossar, Pepper Cossar, Jr., Jessica Hartzog, Colton Musgrove, AnnaLee Cossar, Joseph Perry, Jr., Elizabeth Perry and Kristen Louanne Cossar.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the following: the First United Methodist Church of Cleveland, Delta State University, The University of Mississippi, and the charitable organization of your choice.

First Visitation

12:00 pm - 2:30 pm Saturday, January 28, 2012
First Baptist Church. 101 N Bolivar Cleveland, Mississippi, United States

Service Information

2:30 pm Saturday, January 28, 2012
First United Methodist Church 318 S Court Street Cleveland, Mississippi, United States

Interment Information

North Cleveland Cemetery North Bolivar Cleveland, Mississippi, United States