Shirley Alene Kephart

Shirley Owenby Kephart, 68, of 1700 Owl Creek Rd. Murphy, NC passed away Friday, April 11, 2014 at the Murphy Medical Center following an extended illness. Shirley was born August 28, 1945. She is survived by her loving husband Gene Kephart, and a nephew, Kelly Owens. Shirley and Gene were married for thirty-one years. She was preceded in death by her mother, Pearl Owenby and sister, Geraldine Owens.

Shirley was a LPN and spent most of her life in the nursing and care giving field. Everyone who worked with her and the ones she cared for talked of her love and kindness she showed them. She also did foreign missionary work as a teenager and young adult. She loved gardening and working in her flower gardens. Shirley was a member of the Church of God on Hwy. 294 in Murphy.

Visitation for Shirley will be held on Sunday, April 13, 2014 from 2-3 pm at the Cochran Funeral Home in Murphy, with a funeral service beginning at 3 pm. The interment will follow in the Hanging Dog Baptist Church Cemetery. The Rev. Bruce Stump will officiate. Pallbearers will include Glenn Kephart, Keith Marcus, Ronnie Williamson, Tom Anderson, Louis Reid and Erik Reid.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Cochran Funeral Home of Murphy. You may send condolences to the family and sign the guest registry at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.