Fasiska Deloise Pepper

Fasiska’s Life Story

Fasiska D. Pepper was the youngest of three children born to the late Burnette Carter and Frank Carl Pepper on April 5, 1972, in Norfolk, Virginia. She was known and called by family and friends “DeDe” because, for most people, Fasiska was a bit hard to pronounce. After a “miracle” restoration of life on November 20th, God extended his tender mercy and granted her several more weeks with family and friends. Quietly in the early morning hours of December 20th, DeDe took her eternal flight. She was predeceased by her older brother, Felix Carlton Pepper “Pep”.

Fasiska was educated in the Virginia Beach School System, where she graduated from Princess Ann High School, and was inspired by and always talked about her favorite teacher, Mr. Lee Willie. While in high school, she ran track and field, which earned her a position on the track team to participate in the Junior Olympics.  After high school, she attended Central College and earned a Degree in Nursing as a CNA. Her degree led to a career at Care for You as a CNA, where she worked for 10 years.

She was introduced to the United House of Prayer, along with her mother and siblings, by her Aunt Mary. They placed their names as members of Norfolk #1 under the late Apostle T. Simpson and under the dispensation of our deceased Leader, Bishop W. McCollough. She was an active member of the Virginia State Marching Band, where she was a member of the Flags Unit of the Color Guards. She joined the Sisters of Faith Auxiliary and worked until her health began to fail.

She was committed to family and was a loyal friend. Her children were active in sports and other school activities. She never missed a basketball or football game, cheerleading competition, military or ROTC graduation, college orientation, or Grace American Peace Parade to see her children perform. She and her mother, Burnette “Bea,” helped host several Community Block Parties for kids in the neighborhood. DeDe quickly became the neighborhood Mom to so many children.

She was tickled pink that she’d finally become a Grandma, and to a set of twins no less, followed by two more boys. Holidays and birthdays were the highlights of the year. Her Aunt Fran would always make her one of her favorite foods, “yock.” Her cousin Chelle would come to the house to do her hair when she couldn’t make it to the salon. Spending time with her BFFs Sonya, Carena, and Shantelle and sharing achievements of their children’s graduations, milestone birthdays, and special events were memorable times for all of them.  The Girls First Cousins Birthday Dinner Outings was a yearly event she always looked forward to.

Like most of the Carter Clan, Dede was a “Die Hard” Cowboys Fan. She and her deceased Aunt Chavelia would always call her deceased Uncle Leroy whenever the Cowboys and Red Skins would play. Whoever the victor, they would talk “Smack” for weeks. She also loved the Chicago Bulls. Her comfort clothing always included tee shirts of her favorite cartoon characters, Twitty Bird or Pink Panther.

Dede always had a strong support network. Her mother was always loving and helped when she returned home from hospital stays. Her Godfather, Johnny, helped in many areas in and out of the home. Her sister Flo and daughter Lexi assisted with getting her back and forth to appointments and grocery shopping. Flo, Carena, and Sonya made sure she didn’t become a homebody and took her to outings as much as her health would allow. Her Aunt Mary was always called when the kids got out of line or when legal matters needed attending. At her Aunt Mary’s last hospital visit, after being revived from cardiac arrest, Dede spoke of loved ones she saw and the House of Prayer high above the earth. She said very matter of fact that her mother and aunt told her, “It’s not your time, so go back.” She returned to life, pulling out the needles and tubes she was attached to. She said, “I know I am a living testimony, thank you, Daddy.  Aunt Mary, if I get to the House of Prayer, I’m going in the door shouting”. She started crying and shouting.  Dede endured her illness for nearly fifteen years. As her body declined due to the many procedures and regimens of medications, many times Dede expressed to her family and her close, confident Godfather Johnny that she was tired and often stated, “I’m at peace and ready to go whenever the Lord says so.” In the early morning hours of December 20th, she took her flight and left this world behind, leaving us with loving memories, a beautiful smile, and love that will forever fill our hearts.

Loving memories of Fasiska “DeDe” Pepper will be cherished by her sons, Quincy, Terryon, and Carlton; and daughter Alexis all of Norfolk, VA; two sisters, Flonise Holliday (Andre) of Gastonia, NC, Mattie Wells of Houston, TX; one Aunt, St. Mary Carter, of Virginia Beach, VA; Godfather, Johnny Porter of Norfolk, VA; Grandchildren include Maliya, Messiah, A’Kai, and Kamari; Nieces include Nestle Berryhill (Raja), of Gastonia, NC; Raven Pepper, Millville, NJ; Nephews include Richard “RJ” Arnold, Jr. (Sabrina) of Charlotte, NC and Marcus Stevenson, Washington, DC; Special Friend, Craig Matthews of Norfolk, VA; Special Aunts, Deborah Ann Williams, Joyce Lowe, and Fran Faulk; a very special love for Cousins Antonio “Tony” (Patricia), Frederick “Plump” (Sandra), and Jason (Nikita); Tanysha “Niki,” Nichelle “Chelle” (Jason), Eloise “Renee” and Michelle; very special girlfriends, Carena Reid, Sonya Mendoza, and Shantelle Mason; and a host of other relatives and friends.