Mrs. Carmen Zepeda, age 86, a resident of Jonesborough, Tennessee, passed away on Friday, December 22, 2023, at Princeton Assisted Living with her family by her side.
She was born on July 16, 1937, to the late Jose and Juaquina Campos Rufino in El Salvador.
She obtained her Masters in Education. In El Salvador, Carmen was a Special Education Teacher and taught Kindergarten. When she arrived in Memphis, Tennessee, she was a restaurant manager, an ESL teacher, and a medical interpreter.
In addition to her parents and five siblings, Carmen was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jose Arturo Zepeda.
Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Lorena Watson, Jaime Eduardo Zepeda (Lisa), Fernando Arturo Zepeda (Ferrissa), Lissette Tant (Clive Sorhaindo); grandchildren, Nicholas Watson (Heather), Nathan Watson (Heather), Caleb Zepeda, Tyler Zepeda, Van Tant, Asher Sorhaindo; great-grandchildren, Leanna Watson; sister, Mercedes Haydee Barillas; and a large extended family in El Salvador and other parts of the world.
To know Carmen was to love her and be loved by her. She was a force of life until the very end. She loved her family and her home country. She was a faithful Christian with a serving heart. She exemplified God’s Grace.
Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, January 6, 2024, at Casa de Restauracion, 2201 Knob Creek Rd, Johnson City, TN 37604, with Rev. Jaime Velasco officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM, prior to the service. A Graveside will follow at Fairview Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Jaime Zepeda, Fernando Zepeda, Nathan Watson, Nicholas Watson, Caleb Zepeda, Tyler Zepeda, Van Tant, Clive Sorhaindo, Asher Sorhaindo and Allan Dearstone.
01/07/2024
Carol Sorhaindo
My sincere condolences to all the friends and family. May loving and cherished memories live on. Lots of Love and Blessings
We would all like to offer our deepest sympathies to Dr Zepeda and the entire family on the loss of your mother/grandmother. We are certain that she was a very special and loved lady. Hoping that you will find peace during this difficult time and at anytime that you think about her.
01/05/2024
Tita Sandoval de Solis
Querida Tía Carmen
Con mucho dolor lamentamos muchísimo su retirada de todos los que siempre le Brindamos mucho amor y mucho agradecimiento como también a Tío Arturo, por lo cual suplicamos a nuestro Padre Celestial que le reciba con los brazos abiertos en su Reino Celestial y desde ahí gocemos todos de su compañía y mucho amor.
Con todo mi corazón reciban un fuerte abrazos Fernando, Jaime Lupita, liseth esposos esposas y queridos nietos.
Con mucho amor Tita de Solis y Emilio Solis. Heidi, Milo y Rodrigo Solis
This was true for me - To know Carmen was to love her and be loved by her. I knew Carmen at the Jonesborough Senior Center. She was so positive and inclusive. This is also true to me of Carmen- She was a force of life. She made me laugh with her fierceness and stories she shared. I've have missed her in her absence and will miss her now, until we meet again. She brought joy to me and those she shared with here. Praying for your comfort in your loss, joy in your memories and hope for the days to come.
My deepest sympathies to the entire family. May God wrap His loving arms around each of you and give you peace and comfort during this time and the months to follow.
12/29/2023
Walker & Sara Byrd
We wish to send our condolences to your family and to say we are sorry for the loss of your mom. May you all be blessed in this time of loss. We will have you all in our prayers.
My deepest condolences to the family and friends who were fortunate enough to have known Carmen. I wish peace and comfort to each of you.
Find joy and celebrate the gift of time in having known such a remarkable woman.
12/28/2023
Maria Traynham
My sister and I had the privilege of being bridesmaids at Carmen and Arturo's wedding. It is still a very vivid memory! They were such a wonderful couple and I know they are now together again. My condolences to the entire family. Prayers and peace to you all.
I first met Carmen and her Jose in the early ‘80’s. We all worked for Pancho’s Mexican Restaurants and became fast friends. Her love and devotion for her family and friends I admired so much. She would tell me stories of her country with such passion, I felt I had been there. She had a way of sharing herself with others and I most remember when we would discuss our families, how much we shared in common, though we grew up countries apart. She always made me feel like a part of her family, and I loved her so much. My memories of her are so precious to me. I know she and Jose are together again, dancing, laughing and watching over their children. I’m so thankful I was a part of her life and that she shared herself with me.
Love to Lorena, your siblings, their children and those yet to come. What a beautiful legacy she gifted to you all.
12/26/2023
Fabiola Francis
The first person that gave me a job when I moved to Memphis, TN. In 1987
She was so happy to see me and welcomed me - gave me a tour of the store in Whitehave
Grateful for the time we shared in Memphis
