FRANCES A. SHEPPARD
Frances Adelle Sheppard was born on Feb. 21, 1917 in Spearsville, Louisiana to the late Allen Ramsey and Lillie Bell Gleason-Ramsey. She was one of 12 children born to this union. The family moved from Louisiana to Arkansas around 1931 and eventually settled in the Sandyland community.
In January 1939, Frances married Ellis Sheppard Sr., and they became the proud parents of four children.
Born into a Christian family, she accepted Christ at an early age. After moving to several location in south Arkansas, then to Detroit and back to Arkansas, Sheppard and her family united with New Bethel Baptist Church in the early 1950’s, where she remained an active member until 2002, when she relocated due to health reasons. While at New Bethel, she served on the Usher Board for several years. In 1964, she, along with Nan Lowery and Mae Etta Harper (also ushers), formed and trained the junior ushers of New Bethel. As one who took pride in her cooking, she was also on the church kitchen staff for a period of time.
Our world is much richer, because we were blessed to have Frances Sheppard in our lives. Her passing shall be filled with rejoicing for a life well lived. It is a given that she lived a long life filled with love, joy and happiness.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved, Ellis Sheppard Sr.; a son, Ellis Sheppard Jr.; a grandson, Larry Hawthorne; and 10 siblings.
Her sweet memory will remain in the hearts of her son, Roy Allen (Michelle) Sheppard of North Little Rock; her daughters, Lillie F. Deuberry, and Shirley Sheppard-Jackson, both of Sherwood; and her sister, Eva Carmichael of Menlo Park, California. She also leaves six grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Public visitation was held Tuesday at Sims Mortuary.
A celebration of her life will be shared with family and friends at 1 p.m. today at New Bethel Baptist Church with the Rev. Bobby Patterson, officiating and the Rev. Pierce Moore, eulogist. Interment will be in Lott Burgy Cemetery in El Dorado under the direction of Sims Mortuary.
Sign the guestbook online at www.simsmortuary.com.