Brian Culpepper

Brian David Culpepper, 64, of Tellico Plains, Tennessee, died on October 29, 2025, passing peacefully in the home he built himself on his property. He was originally from Chesapeake, Virginia.

Brian is survived by his loving wife, Liudmila ("Mila") Bychanina Culpepper; his daughter Cherie Culpepper Carr and husband Logan; his siblings, Deborah C. Waters and husband Louis, Thomas W. Culpepper, Jr. and wife Dianne, and Karen R. Culpepper; his aunts Audrey Lynnette Culpepper Mongesku and her husband Dennis, and Sandra R. West; his step-mother Carolyn Dale Culpepper; five grandchildren; one great grandchild; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was predeceased by his parents Thomas W. Culpepper, Sr. and Pattie W. Culpepper of Chesapeake, Virginia. Brian attended Western Branch High School.

Brian was a gifted man. By trade, he was a master craftsman who was a cabinet maker and builder. He and Mila built their homes themselves, literally with their own hands. The Tellico Plains house is a log cabin masterpiece, artisticly designed and decorated with hand carvings. Before he relocated to Tennessee, he built custom cabinets for homes in and around Virginia. Many custom homes still contain his hand-made specially-designed cabinetry. He also worked as a dispatcher for Brown Trucking Company, and had a cadre of motor carriers who respected and followed him.

Brian was a loving man who was generous to a fault. He believed in strong families. He was a wonderful son, brother, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. He also cared very deeply about his country and its people, and took on a leadership role promoting traditional American values.

He was an avid outdoorsman. In his earlier years, Brian worked as a waterman, crabbing during the season. He was also a trapper and hunter, but only took what he could use. He loved the mountains almost as much as he loved the water.

On Saturday, November 15, 2025, at 2:00 p.m., there will be a memorial service at The Prayer Chapel, 298 Bear Lane in Tellico Plains. Brian worked extensively on the construction of the Chapel. Although the beautiful Chapel is not yet finished, it is the appropriate venue for a celebration of his life. There will be a reception inside the Chapel immediately following the service. There will be a private burial the following day.