Teresa was a native of Hendersonville. Her family moved to Florida as an infant which is where her love of the sea came from, learning to walk on the sand. Teresa survived breast cancer for the first time in 2006 creating awareness for the disease in our community through her poker runs, Riding for Hope. In 2020, Teresa was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. She died peacefully at home from the disease.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Dot Carter and Randy Holbert.
Left to cherish her memories, laugh at our funny moments together, and cry wishing she was still here are her husband and best friend: David Philpot; her Stepdad who has loving her like his own, Jack Carter; her brothers: Dwayne and Tony Holbert; Chris and Matthew Carter; cherished nephews; her stepson, Ryan Philpot; daughter-in-law, Amy Gilmore, granddaughter Sara Moeschl, and great-granddaughter Blake Lynn Jae; her mother and father in law, Walt and Laverne Philpot of Thibodaux, LA; her two daughters, Jessica Stepp Edney (Justin) and Caitlin Stepp Barry (Patrick); and her two greatest gifts in life: grandson Carter Edney and granddaughter Charlotte Barry.
Her best friends are too many to mention but a short list of those that have been by her side to the end: Diana Dermid, Mollie Fennimore, Deb Stallings, Lisa Graves, Wanda Edney, Melody Levi, Darlene Durban, Lisa Stepp, Steve Edney, Tucker & Terry Cawthorn, Janet Whitley, Trudi Metcalfe, and Arthur Pearsall.
From working in a dental lab, to getting her dental assistant degree in1986 from AB Tech while her first born was a baby, she showed her daughters true grit, persistence and creating a life surrounded by coworkers who became lifelong friends. She loved making people smile! Upon graduation, she worked as a dental assistant for Dr. Ken Merritt, then for Dr. William Moore, followed by many years at Dr. C. David Chapman’s office. Trading her skills from general dentistry to orthodontics, she spent the rest of her 20+ career with Dr. Steve Edney. Dr. Edney and the girls were our 2nd family. She was so loved by her patients and colleagues throughout the years.
Teresa and her former spouse, Philip Stepp, were married for 22 years and had 2 daughters together who they adored. Philip and Teresa were lifelong friends and created a blended family after both remarrying. She loved the extended Stepp family so very much.
In 2002, she met David Philpot of Cincinnati, OH. They fell madly in love and the two married ten years later in 2012. He was ‘my Dave’ to her. David stayed, never leaving her side to the very end. Teresa said she always knew he loved her, but these last three years of her life sealed it for her. Her true love.
Teresa will be remembered for her exuberant smile and magnetic personality. When her time came, she carried herself with dignity, strength, and bravery. Her passions included riding her motorcycle with friends and her husband, spending time at her ‘little freckle’ place on Ocean Isle Beach, bringing together blended family and friends to celebrate all occasions, and being “Grammy” to her cherished grandchildren. She was the most loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and daughter a family could ask for. Even while ill, Teresa could find the silver lining and humor in any situation. Her legacy will carry on forever reminding us to persevere, practice gratitude, and always search for hope
The family would like to thank Dr. Nathan Williams, Dr. Lind, and all of the staff at New Horizons Women’s Cancer Care, as well as Four Seasons Hospice for their compassionate care during her final weeks. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Four Seasons Hospice in her memory. Services will be private.
Condolences may be sent to the Philpot family at www.jacksonfuneralservice.com or C/O Jackson Funeral Service 1101 Greenville Highway, Hendersonville, NC 28792. Please include the name of the deceased on the condolence.