Mr. Ellis Harville Shepard

Mr. Ellis Harville Shepard, 94, of Thomaston, died Sunday, February 9, 2020, at Riverside Health and Rehabilitation. Funeral services for Mr. Shepard will be held on Wednesday, February 12, at 11 AM at Trinity Baptist Church. Rev. Bob Wilson will officiate and burial will follow in Upson Memorial Gardens. The family of Mr. Shepard will receive friends at Trinity Baptist Church on Wednesday, February 12, at 10 AM until the funeral hour. He is preceded in death by several brothers and sisters, and his wife of 67 years, Mrs. Betty Benson Shepard . Mr. Shepard was born March 8, 1925, in Dexter, GA, son of the late William E. Shepard and Bessie Underwood Shepard . He was reared in Thomaston, GA and was a 1943 graduate of RE Lee Institute in Thomaston. Upon graduation he enlisted in the US Army and fought during World War II in the European theater of action. He was part of the 174th Field Artillery ( heavy artillery division) and participated in major battles at Normandy, Northern France, Central Europe, Ardennes/Battle of the Bulge, and Rhineland. Upon discharge at the end of WWII in 1945, he returned to Thomaston and began his career as an auto mechanic. He worked for many years as owner/operator of Shepard’s Auto Service until his retirement. After retiring, he and Betty enjoyed many fun times travelling in their RV and participating in a Southern Baptist ministry called Campers on Mission. Mr. Shepard was a charter member of Trinity Baptist Church. He taught Sunday School and served faithfully as a deacon for many years. Until his death he was the church's oldest living member. Mr. Shepard is survived by two sons, Bob (Susan) Shepard of Thomaston and Joe (Laurie) Shepard of Jacksonville, FL; one brother, Fred (Shirley) Shepard of Arkansas; five grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Baptist Church, 410 South Church St., Thomaston, GA 30286, or to the First Baptist Church TV Ministry, 208 South Church St., Thomaston, GA 30286.