Robert S. “Bobby” Shepard, 84, formerly of Big Canoe, GA died on November 24, 2015. Born in Caile, MS he was the son of the late Robert Paul and Emma Estelle (Windham) Shepard. His brothers, Ira W. Shepard and John L. Shepard and sister, Lorene E. Shepard also predeceased him.
Bobby was a long time wholesale auto and tractor parts dealer in the Mississippi Delta who focused on what his customers needed, even if they didn’t know it. Some customers called him “Will Work”. He owned his own business from 1962 – 1991. Following retirement, he and his wife, Carrie, traveled every state in the US – mostly in a series of RV’s. They also traveled internationally.
Bobby lived in Sunflower County, MS until moving to Big Canoe in 1999. He was an inveterate collector of “stuff” he might need – lots of tools, even a Dremel when he moved to Assisted Living. He was also active in church and community – planning and zoning in Indianola, church boards in Indianola, an active usher and ERT in Big Canoe.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Carrie Nell (Hughes) Shepard of Roswell, GA; children, Sam (Patti Farr) Shepard of Cumming, GA, Jim ( Cathy Kien) Shepard of Auburn, Al, Donna Shepard (John) Varn of Leesburg, VA ; grandchildren, Becky (Steve) Carlin of Marietta, Patrick Shepard of Madison, MS, Scott Shepard of Starkville, MS, Melissa (Jim) Keefer of Gainesville, FL, Erin (Aaron) Fahl of Marietta, GA and Meghan (Brett) Bawcum of Athens, GA; and great-grandchildren, Robert and Michael Carlin, and Evie Bawcum.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, November 28, 2015 in the chapel of McDonald and Son Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Big Canoe Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Saturday, November 28 from 10:00 am until service time.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the United Methodist Children’s Home in Decatur, GA (www.umchildrenshome.org).
Condolences may be expressed at www.mcdonaldandson.com.
Arrangements by McDonald and Son Funeral Home, 150 Sawnee Drive, Cumming, GA 30040 (770) 886.9899