COLUMBIA - A memorial service for Arbetta “Betta” Kashimura Hepfer, 98, will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at Trenholm Road United Methodist Church with Rev. Zach Dillard officiating the service. A private graveside service was held in Greenlawn Memorial Park.
Mrs. Hepfer, wife of the late Dr. Penrod Graham Hepfer, died Thursday, April 13, 2017. Betta, the daughter of the late George and Bessie Chase Kashimura, was born in Orlando, Florida on May 5, 1918.
A graduate from public schools in Wareham, Massachusetts, Betta received a B.S. degree in health and physical education from Boston University Sergeant College. After graduation, she taught health and physical education at the Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She later earned a Master’s degree in Health Sciences from the University of South Carolina and taught health education in the Physical Education Department at USC.
Early during World War II, Betta volunteered for the U.S. Army graduate physical therapy program and upon completion of the one year course at Walter Reed General Hospital, was commissioned a Second Lieutenant. Her first duty was staff physical therapist at Ashford General Hospital, formerly the Greenbrier, in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. There she met and married her husband, First Lieutenant Penrod Hepfer, a staff physician. Both were shortly transferred to separate units preparing for overseas following D. Day.
Betta was stationed with the 140th General Hospital in Blandford, England, which she received wounded flown in from battlefronts. She received a medical discharge and returned to the states.
Active in local church, service and political groups, Betta was a member of Trenholm Road United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Women and Major Circle. She held memberships in the Boston University Alumni Association; the University of South Carolina Alumni Association; Columbia Alliance and the Columbia Chapter; and Daughters of the American Revolution.
Betta served in chapter and state offices of the Robert Gibbes Chapter, National Society, Colonial Dames, 17th Chapter; the Palmetto Chapter of New England Women; National Society of Daughters of Colonial Wars; the Lilac Garden Club; and Forest Lakes Women’s Golf Association. She was a charter member of the Richland County Republican Women’s Club.
Surviving are her sons, Richard George Hepfer and wife, Katherine McCaskill of Columbia and Dr. Thomas Willard Hepfer and wife, Christine Howell of Salem; grandchildren, Holly Hepfer Reed and husband, Abraham Reed of Clemson, Dr. Ellen Hepfer Breazel and husband, Eric Breazel of Clemson, Dr. Katherine Sloan Ware and husband, Dr. Patrick Ware of Charlotte, N.C., and Richard Glenn Hepfer of Charleston; great-grandchildren, Lance Thomas Reed, Lillian Christine Reed, and Brody Daniels Breazel all of Clemson, and Stewart Elizabeth Ware of Charlotte.
In addition to her husband and parents, Betta was predeceased by her brother, William Chase.
Memorials may be made to Trenholm Road United Methodist Church, 3401 Trenholm Road, Columbia, SC 29204; or to a charity of one’s choice.
Please sign the online guestbook at www.dunbarfunerals.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Dunbar Funeral Home - Devine.
4 Entries
May 1, 2017
Debbie Chapman Cross
To all of Aunt Betta's family:
It was with great sadness to learn of her departure from this wonderful world. My Mother, Patricia Hepfer Chapman and Penrod were cousins and our family shared some very special times with Pen, Betta, Rick and Tom at their lake home in Columbia. Betta loved all of you and took great pride in sharing what each of you were doing along with great pictures, complete with names and "who matched up with who." I will miss her quiet but adoring presence in my life. My sincere condolences to all of you.
April 17, 2017
Dear Hepfer family, It was a GOD-send to have met and befriend Betta. We sincerely became enriched by her spirit and loving nature. Her wonderful stories of her life and her family over so many years were a pleasure to listen to as we enjoyed her company so many Sundays and more. As you have been so richly blessed to have had her love, we feel blessed also to have known her during these last few years. Our best to you through GOD's perfect mercy, Gail and Robert Watson
April 16, 2017
Ann Weldon
Dear Betta was such a joy to know...always cheerful, interesting and interested in life. She was a neighbor and friend and fellow member of DAR and Colonial Dames. She will be missed and remembered fondly.
April 15, 2017
Winifred (Pick) and Marie Brown
Rick and Kitty,
We would like to express our sincere sympathy to you and your family. May God give you all the peace and comfort that you need during this difficult time. Our heartfelt condolences.
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