Patricia Looper Obituary

Patricia Breidenstein Looper

April 26, 1940 - July 2, 2025

Dr. Patricia Jo Breidenstein Dye Looper, age 85, of Morganton, North Carolina passed away on Wednesday, July 2, 2025. She was born on April 26, 1940 in Altoona, Pennsylvania; the daughter of the late Joseph Budd and the late Mickey Varley Breidenstein. She is a graduate of Highland Park High School, Dallas, Texas. Dr. Looper received a B.A. degree from Thomas A. Edison State University, Trenton, New Jersey; Master of Divinity Degree from Columbia Theological Seminary, Atlanta, Georgia; and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, Kentucky. Prior to being ordained an Elder in the North Georgia Conference of The United Methodist Church, Dr. Looper was an award-winning Realtor and owner of her own real estate company in Spartanburg, SC.; and later owner of a motivational training company, PbL Consultants. Dr. Looper was active on many district and conference committees while serving Methodist churches in Griffin, Riverdale, Graysville, and Milledgeville, Georgia. She also has served churches in Morganton and Golden Valley, North Carolina. In 2023, Dr. Looper transferred her ministry credentials to the Global Methodist Church and served Bethel Road GMC until illness caused her to retire. Dr. Looper is a former member of the National Association of Parliamentarians and International Toastmistress Clubs. She is a published poet and writer of both fiction and non-fiction. Four of her books have been published. She wrote several plays and participated in community theater in acting roles and also as director. She wrote and directed five Follies shows at Grace Ridge Retirement Community, where she also was an active volunteer, serving for many years as a coordinator of the Grace Ridge Chapel services. Dr. Looper organized and led the Burke County library-sponsored Burke Writers League. In addition to her parents, Dr. Looper was preceded in death by her husband, R. Daniel Looper; her son, Patrick Varley Dye; her grandson, Caleb Andrew Dye; and her sister, Michal B Yongue. She is survived by her sons, Michael LeMay Dye (Rosa Boland) of Lexington, South Carolina; Donald William Jr. (Anita), of Lawndale, North Carolina; Joseph Sterling (Rebecca) of Jefferson, Georgia; two step-daughters, Susan Looper Roberts of Raleigh, North Carolina and Joy Looper Bolger and her husband, Lt. General (retired) Daniel P. Bolger, also of Raleigh; a brother-in-law and his wife, Robert N. and Lorelei Looper, Houston, Texas; seventeen grandchildren; two great grandsons, two great granddaughters, three nephews, two nieces and three grand-nephews. At Dr. Loopers request, please do not send flowers, donations may be made to the Endowment Fund at Grace Ridge Retirement Community. Kirksey Funeral Home of Morganton, North Carolina is serving the family.