Weekend of goodbyes for Kathy Taft

Colleagues and dignitaries from Raleigh grieve with Taft family

By: Arthur Mondale | WNCT
Published: March 13, 2010

Greenville
It's a weekend of goodbyes for Kathy Taft.
The Greenville woman who spent 15 years on the state board of education died Tuesday from a severe beating a week ago.
That first tribute took place on Friday night.
More than 400 people showed up to express their condolences with her family.
9OYS reports all of this is happening while police still try to find her killer.
The rain couldn't stop people from showing up to express their condolences with Kathy Taft's family.
Even those who didn't know her personally felt compelled to be there.
"Anyone that works for the public school system--especially at the state level certainly has some sort of desire and care for students,” said Taft acquaintance and ECUSGA treasurer Tremayne Smith.
Colleagues and dignitaries from Raleigh also came to grieve with the family at the Wilkerson Funeral Home in Greenville.
They included one of Taft's former professors. Dr. Don Ensley of ECU’s Dept. of Community Health says he could tell she was a leader of the pack years before she earned a degree.
“I saw the spirit in her,” Ensley said. "It takes passion, commitment, courage, and that's what's to some degree they're going to have to find—they’ll never find another Kathy Taft."
Ensley says those character traits explain Taft's success. The State Board of Education's longest serving member leaves behind a legacy that will be hard to live up to.
Smith adds, “I think we as a society need to start giving people their flowers while they're alive.”
There will be a public memorial service on Saturday at 3pm at Saint Paul's Episcopal Church in Greenville.
If you'd like to send your condolences to the Taft family, use the key words: Guest Book.