Barbara Jean Wright "B.J." Hepler

KERNERSVILLE - Mrs. Barbara Jean Wright "B.J." Hepler of 1982 Piney Grove Road died Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2003, at Forsyth Memorial Hospital of multiple complications from various illnesses. She was born in St. Louis, Mo., and she attended Ritenaur High School in St. Louis and Hannibal College in Hannibal, Mo. She was employed in the insurance industry for 40 years and was the agency principal of Hepler Insurance Service Inc. in Kernersville since 1985. She was known for her high professional standards and strong business ethics. As a member of the Winston-Salem Association of Insurance Professionals for most of her career, she advanced her insurance education and made many dear friends. B.J. was characterized by her quick wit, independent nature, an infectious smile, inimitable spirit and a challenging intellect (she challenged everything). She was preceded in death by her father, R. Ray Wright; her mother, Oma McCoy Wright; and her brother, Dean Wright. She is survived by her husband, Karl K. "Ked" Hepler of the home; sisters-in-law, Jan H. Lowe of Winston-Salem, Elda H. Deal of Taylorsville and Beth Leinbach Hepler of Lewisville; a brother-in-law, Peter W. Hepler and wife Blanca of Clemmons; and a number of loving members of the extended family. The family will receive relatives and friends from 7 to 9 p.m. today, Oct. 31, at Hayworth-Miller-Cain Funeral Home. A private service will be held in keeping with the deceased's request. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to charities of the donor's choice.