Mrs. Betty B. Shepard

Mrs. Betty B. Shepard, 93, of Thomaston, died Thursday, June 29, 2017, at Riverside Health and Rehab. Funeral services for Mrs. Shepard will be held on Sunday, July 2nd, 2017 at 3:00 PM at Trinity Baptist Church. Rev. Bob Wilson will officiate and burial will follow in Upson Memorial Gardens. The family of Mrs. Shepard will receive friends at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday from 2:00 PM until the funeral hour. Mrs. Shepard was born June 19, 1924, in Columbia, SC, daughter of the late Homer Stanley and Lou Ellen Bragg Benson. She was reared in Columbus, GA, and graduated from Tift College. Upon graduation she attended Columbia University in New York and then returned to Georgia to begin her career as an educator. She taught for many years in Upson County, most notably her role as a 3rd grade teacher at Atwater Elementary School. She was constantly approached by former students throughout the years as someone who had been a sweet and influential part of their formative years in school. After retiring from teaching, she and her husband, Harville Shepard, enjoyed many fun times traveling and ministering with their RV. She and Harville were married for 67 years and lived in Upson County for over 70 years. Mrs. Shepard was a charter member of Trinity Baptist Church. She taught Sunday School and served as the organist for her church for many years. Until her death she was the church's oldest living member. In addition to her husband Mrs. Shepard is survived by two sons, Bob (Susan) Shepard of Thomaston and Joe (Laurie) Shepard of Jacksonville, FL; two brothers, Dr. Stan (Mary Florence) Benson of Chattanooga, TN, and Marvin (Mildred) Benson of Atlanta; five grandchildren, Kim (JonEric) Dodd of Macon, Jenn (Corey) Cargle of Macon, Brittany (Matt) Turner of Jacksonville, FL, Scott Shepard of Newport Beach, CA, and Anna Shepard of Jacksonville, FL; and four great grandchildren, Madison Cargle, Logan Cargle, Matthew Dodd and Andrew Dodd. Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Baptist Church, 410 South Church St., Thomaston, GA 30286, or the First Baptist Church TV Ministry, 208 South Church St., Thomaston, GA 30286. Condolences and remembrances may be expressed at www.fletcherdayfuneralhome.com. Fletcher-Day Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.