Townson-Rose Funeral Home

Obituary for Russell Lee Kephart


11/01/1941 - 02/02/2020


Russell Kephart, age 78 of Murphy, NC passed away Monday, February 3, 2020.

He was a native and lifelong resident of Cherokee County, NC to the late Henry Joseph and Dovie Dockery Kephart. Russell was a US Army veteran. He was a heavy equipment operator. Russell loved to hunt and fish. He was a member of Owl Creek Baptist Church and a lifetime member of the American Legion Post.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brothers, Sherdan, William, Bass, Oscar and Earl Kephart.

He is survived by his son, Russell Dewain Kephart and wife Victoria; one sister, Mae Lovin; two brothers, Ralph and Otis Kephart; five grandchildren, Daniel Kephart and wife Caroline, Felicia May and husband Adam, Matthew Anderson, Sheba Brown and husband Silas and Priscilla Stewart and husband Chris; and six great-grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held at 2 pm, Wednesday, February 5, 2020 at the Townson-Rose Funeral Home Chapel in Murphy. Dr. Eddis Dockery will officiate. Burial will be in the Hanging Dog Baptist Church Cemetery with military graveside rites being conducted by the American Legion Post #96 Murphy, American Legion Post 532 Hayesville, VFW Post 6812, Hayesville, NC, the Marine Corp League Marble, NC, and the Vietnam Veterans of America. Pallbearers will be Keith Marcus, Kurt Marcus, Larry Kephart, Samuel Kephart, Trevor Lovin and Merle Kephart.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 pm, Tuesday, February 4, 2020 at the Townson-Rose Funeral Home in Murphy.

Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.


You may send tributes to the family at www.townson-rose.com


Veteran