Bessie Kephart

Bessie Grooms Kephart, 94, of Gastonia and formerly of Lowell, where she had resided with her husband, passed away July 9, 2015 at Brookdale Union. She was born January 15, 1921 in Swain County, daughter of the late Arthur Chester and Cora Mae Grooms. Bessie was a lifetime church member of W. Cramerton Baptist Church and was formerly employed with Pharr Yarns in McAdenville. Survivors include her son, Tim Kephart and wife, Nancy of Lowell; daughter, Sandy Estes and husband, David of Gastonia and his son, Seth Estes; granddaughter, Leah Maness, who Bessie was a caregiver of when she was younger, and husband, Scott of Lowell; niece and caregiver, Shelby Beheler of Belmont and numerous great-nieces. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Lawson "L.J." Kephart; daughter, Joyce Kephart; sister, Leona Alexander; sisters-in-law, Stella and Annie Mae Grooms; brothers, Quintin and McClellan Grooms; cousin, Faye Davis and numerous nieces and cousins. A funeral service will be held 11:30 am Monday at Greene Funeral Service - South Chapel - 1503 S. York Rd., Gastonia, officiated by Pastor Terrell Long with a family gathering following at Leah and Scott's home. A visitation will be held 10:00 - 11:00 am prior to the service at the funeral home. Interment will be in Gaston Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gaston Hospice - PO Box 3984, Gastonia, NC 28054. Arrangements are with the South Chapel of Greene Funeral Service and Crematorium, Gastonia.