Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

September 29, 2026

CHARLOTTE - Nancy Jean Gepfert, a woman of great love, strength, beauty, wit and a fierce commitment to family, died peacefully at home Sept. 29, 2026 in Matthews, N.C., after a six-year struggle with Parkinson’s and cancer.

Nancy, born Nov. 5, 1944, to William Barnard Brew and Helen Shine Schulte of St. Louis, was really four people, each revealing a side of a remarkable human being.

As a young woman growing up in St. Louis, she was simply Nancy, the only sister among four loving brothers and a loyal member of Junior Compton Heights Association, where she excelled in gymnastics on the swing set.  She remained close to her brothers throughout her life, with reunions that started when they all had small children through their 70s and 80s, each complete with a camp director, detailed schedule of activities and daily newspaper. When Nancy was ill this year, they moved the reunion to her.

At the University of Missouri, she went her own way, majoring in psychology, departing from the family tradition of engineering graduates. (She was irked when an engineering school magazine touted each brother in detail, then added a single sentence about the family: “They also have a daughter.”)

Her innate ability to appreciate psychological differences in people helped her understand the fellow student she met and later married, Ken. On their first date, her infectious laugh – even at Ken’s lame jokes -- instantly won him over. Their rich senses of humor became a foundation of their 60-year marriage.

Ken and his “beautiful bride,” as he called her throughout their marriage with very good reason, also shared a sense of adventure. They moved 18 times in their marriage, through eight states and culminating in three magical years traveling around Europe when they lived in Brussels. Nancy always did the heavy lifting, selling the house, packing, wrapping up the kids’ school year while Ken went off to start a new job.

But Nancy was no pushover. While always having Ken’s back – dispensing curses when anyone did him wrong – she also stood up for herself and could be quite stubborn when others’ priorities conflicted with her own. During their occasional disagreements, she was usually right. Ken learned to never bet against her.

She was a lifetime learner who made lifelong friends. She discovered new talents as a preschool director, store manager and assistant to small businesses. After returning to school to earn a paralegal degree from Central Piedmont Community College, she worked in the Charlotte court system for nearly 20 years. She screened defendants for public defender assistance, ran the jury pool and helped organize the district attorney’s office. In each job, bosses and coworkers loved her compassion, efficiency and ability to listen – even to prisoners who asked for her help scheduling their court appearances.

She reveled in her third role as Mommy, raising three beautiful and lively daughters. She showered Christy, Karen and Kim with love and understanding, even during their teenage years. When a daughter had a problem, she knew she could come to Nancy, who would not judge while still making clear a particular decision was not the wisest choice.

All three daughters were very different, but somehow Nancy understood how to be the mother each needed. As an ardent supporter of women’s rights in the ‘70s, she insisted Christy and Karen play with trucks, not dolls. By the time Kim came along, she relented and Barbies were all over the house. She was the family’s rock.

When they finally settled in Charlotte, she became the fourth and favorite version of herself – Nana to four terrific grandkids. She loved being Nana, which became her name to all, except youngest daughter Kim who insisted on calling her Mommy.

Her bond with only granddaughter Megan was a highlight of her life. During three summers in Europe, they discovered, laughed and cried together during visits to museums, plays and Dachau. She also loved learning how to be Nana to boys, becoming a constant and loving presence in the lives of Chris, Matthew and Michael. She became a fan of large construction equipment, Legos, fishing, soccer, basketball and more.

All the kids and grandkids enjoyed cooking and consuming recipes from “Nana’s Recipes.”

Nana’s last six years would be difficult for anybody – Parkinson’s, broken bones, cancer. After an active life – asking Ken to keep pace when she power walked – slowing down was contrary to her nature. But the family and friend tribe she built over 80 years became her super support group, and her last months were brightened by visits and love. As one of her wonderful caregivers said when they parted, “Miss Nancy, you will be a good angel always looking after us.”

Nancy is survived by her husband Ken Gepfert of Charlotte, N.C., daughters Christine Gepfert Tyson (Rob Tyson) of Cornelius, N.C., and Karen Kathleen Dwight and Kimberly Michelle Little (Fred Little IV), both of Charlotte; four grandchildren, Megan Venhuizen (Kelsey McCarter-Venhuizen) of Galax, Va., Chris Gepfert (Taylor Scovel-Gepfert) of Apex, N.C., Matthew Dwight of Boone, N.C., and Michael Dwight of Lancaster, S.C.; brothers Jere Brew (Claire Brew) of Cape Canaveral, Fla., William Brew (Jane Volk-Brew) of Palo Alto, Calif., and Jim Brew (Bev Brew) of Greenwood, Ind. She was predeceased by her brother Jack Brew (Kathy Brew) of Madison, Ala.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Parkinson Association of the Carolinas, VIA Health Partners of Charlotte, Wellness Watchers Home Care of Charlotte or Appalachian Wildlife Refuge of Candler, N.C.

A celebration of life is planned at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, at the Matthews Glen retirement community chapel, 733 Pavilion View Drive, Matthews, N.C. 28105, with a reception following in the Bradbury room.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.