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DENISE LORRAINE (KEPHART) CLARIDA

September 6, 1959 – January 9, 2022 Denise Lorraine (Kephart) Clarida, 62, of Holden, MO, went to be with her Savior, Jesus Christ, on January 9, 2022 at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, MO.

She was born September 6, 1959 in Kansas City, the daughter of Donald “Pete” and Judy (Smith) Kephart.

Denise was a graduate of Holden High School, Class of 1977.

She went on to further her education at Central Missouri State University, obtaining her bachelor’s degree in safety.

In previous years, she worked for JC Penney and also Lowe’s Home Improvement, in the safety department.

More recently, she found her calling as a caregiver to many clients who needed in-home care.

Her compassionate and loving heart made it the perfect career path for her.

Denise was a devout Christian and always had a scripture ready for any situation.

She would often pray for her many friends and family members. She was united in marriage to the love of her life, Patrick Clarida, on November 9, 2013 at Medford Methodist Church.

Denise’s passion was her love of the Lord, her two daughters, Stephanie and Chelsea, her husband Pat, and playing worship music.

She taught herself to play guitar many years ago and delighted in sharing her music and love of the Lord with others.

She was a founding member of the gospel and bluegrass band, Higher Grasspirations.

She brought a lot of joy to many people with her music, playing every year at the Holden Street Fair and many other places.

She and Pat would often travel around to many churches to share her music and boundless faith.

She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her husband and daughters, and discussing Christian doctrine and the Bible, on which she was an expert.

Left to cherish her precious memory are her husband Pat, of the home; daughters, Stephanie Kirby and fiancé Will Hill, Holden; and Chelsea Scroggins, Lee’s Summit; her mother, Judy Kephart; sister, Dana Raker; mother-in-law, Paulette Clarida; step-children, Justin Clarida, Jeremy Calhoun, and Jamie Shuman (Jessie); sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Joanne and David Shrout of Independence, and Catherine and Alan Moore of Springfield, MO; four step-grandchildren; beloved aunts, uncles and cousins; and many close lifelong friends.

Denise was preceded in death by her son, Jacob Riley Kirby in 1984; her father, Donald Kephart in 2004; brother, Dennis Lee Kephart; sister, Dianna Lynn Kephart; her cousin, Rhonda Swanigan; her maternal grandparents, Fred and Hanorah Smith; and paternal grandparents, Riley and Pearl Kephart; father-in-law, Orville Clarida; and uncle, Mike Smith.

Her family wishes to thank dear friends and extended family members for their support, care, love and prayers during the last days of Denise’s life.

Your kindness will never be forgotten.

We know our beloved mother, wife, daughter and sister is with Jesus now – she is finally Home! A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, January 14, at Williams Funeral Chapel in Holden.

A Celebration of Life Gathering to honor Denise will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 15, 2022 at the funeral home, with Pastor Bobby Kent officiating.

Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Holden, with Father Curt Vogel offering a prayer and blessing.

Pallbearers will be Jeff Bryant, Travis Webb, Don Henson, Caleb Schalk, Mike Perry and Justin Clarida.

Honorary pallbearers are Kandi Katts, Sara Henderson, Pat Ogan, Linda Fitzgerel, Julie Frazier, Leslie Ogden and Amy Kent.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Kidney Foundation, in care of the funeral home.

Online condolences for the family may be left at williamsfuneralchapel.net.

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