Loretta Thelma Kephart O'Dell, 78, of Murphy, passed away Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, surrounded by her loved ones.
Born Oct. 14, 1946, she was the daughter of the late Willard Barton and Edith Helen Kephart. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Billy R. O'Dell, who died March 16, 2010.
She worked in parts assembly at Clifton Precision Inc., where she retired. She was a member of Tomotla Baptist Church.
Family meant everything to Loretta. She had a special love for her family, especially her nephews and nieces that she considered her own. Loretta had a big heart and lots of love for all animals, but especially her dogs and birds. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Surviving are her brothers, Eugene (Carolyn) Kephart and Neal (Charlene) Kephart; sister, Glenda (Johnny) Phillips; nephews, Stacy Beavers and Larry (Tracy) Kephart; nieces, Debra (Chris) Morgan, Crissy (Chris) Raxter, Tabitha Kephart, Missy (Bo) Collins, Pam (Clinton) Raper, Janet (Eric) Radford and Jennifer Ellison; several great-nephews and nieces as well as great-great-nephews and nieces, and a host of extended family and friends.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, Oct. 26, at Tomotla Baptist Church, with the Pastor Harold Stiles and Dr. Chester Jones officiating. Visitation will begin at 2 p.m. at the church followed by the funeral service at 3 p.m. Burial will be at Hanging Dog Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Stephen Anderson, Kendal Keating, Nathan Kephart, Larry Kephart, Stacy Beavers and BJ Collins. Honorary pallbearers will be James Radford, Luke Radford, Cory Raper, Timothy Raxter, Seth Radford, Will Ellison and Blake Ellison.
Tracie Sherlin Morrow and Trina Sherlin Seabolt will be singing.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Gideons, P.O. Box 164, Murphy, NC 28906.
Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
You may send tributes to the family at
www.townson-rose.com
Yonna Yevonne McGuire 
