Irene Shepard

Service for Irene Shepard, 76, will be 1:30 p.m. Sunday, January 20, 2019 at First Baptist Church in Vivian, Louisiana. Burial will follow at New Hope Cemetery under the direction of Lewis & Walker Funeral Home in Jefferson. There will be a time of visitation 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

Irene was born February 22, 1942 in the union of Hezzie and Viola McElroy–Shepard. She was the oldest girl of 26 children in this union. Bring the oldest girl of the family, she helped her mother raise her siblings. She worked all her life from age eight years old until her mid 50’s as a home maker and caregiver. She gave her life to Christ at an early age at New Hop Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents; 14 brothers and sisters, three died at birth; and baby son, Otis T. Shepard.

She leaves to cherish her memory three children, John (Melitha) Shepard, Hezzine (Roy) Shepard, and Susan (Chris) Shepard– Beverly; eleven grandchildren, Shelitha Adger, Cordario Adger, Neisha Shepard, Zakwandria Shepard, Kalissa Reliford, Keiontre Wilkey, Rayden Wilkey, LaShya Beverly, C. J. Beverly. Lexi Beverly, and Lyla Beverly; five great-grandchildren, Philippe “Lil Man” Sanders, Jr., Silas Sanders, Princeton Sanders, Carson Adger, and Conner Adger; six sisters, Evie (Bob) Kidd, Mary Very Bell, Loretta (Wilbert) Luster, Estelle (Gene) Lawson, Ilene (Willie) Rabb, Earline (Wyatt)  King; five brothers, H. L. Shepard, Eddie Shepard, Archie Shepard, Lane Shepard, and Bobby Shepard; and a host of nieces and nephews.

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