Patricia B. Kephart

Patricia B. Kephart, 57, of Thomas Cline Dr., Morganton, NC died Monday, January 4, 2010 following a lengthy illness. Born in Philadelphia, PA on July 25, 1952, she was the daughter of the late John Joseph Bedenk and Margaret Curran Bedenk. She was a member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church.Patricia graduated from Pompano Beach High School in 1970, Florida Atlantic University in 1975 with a bachelor’s degree in education, and from Colorado State University in 1990 with a master’s degree in education. She worked as an elementary school teacher in Eagle and Garfield Counties in Colorado for more than twenty-five years. After retiring from teaching in Colorado in 2006 she moved to Morganton and worked as a substitute teacher for Burke County Schools.Pat enjoyed skiing, riding motorcycles and horses, quilting and sewing, and spending time with the family. She was a member of McDowell Saddle and Bridle Club, Burke Quilters Club, Catawba Valley Harley Owner’s Group, and the Roaring Fork Harley Owner’s Group in Glenwood Springs, CO.She is survived by her husband of 36 years, James Kephart of the home; a son, Zackary Kephart and wife, Leith, of Macon, GA; a granddaughter, Ilyssa Kephart of Macon; a sister, Ginger Hult and husband, Frank, and their children Kristen and Kerry Hult, all of Tampa, FL; a mother-in-law, Doris Riley and husband, Edward, of Marion, NC; a brother-in-law, Wayne Riley of Marion; a sister-in-law, Lynn McKellar and husband, Bruce, of Mars Hill, NC; and two sisters-in-law and their families in South Florida.The funeral mass will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, January 7, 2010 at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church with Father Kenneth Whittington officiating. The family will receive friends following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 728 W. Union St., Morganton, NC 28655, or to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.