Velma Shepard

Velma Louise Shepard, 83, of Cape Girardeau, formerly of Whitewater, died Thursday, March 7, 2019, at Southeast Hospital.

She was born June 21, 1935, in Oak Ridge to August E. and Louise Hesse Ackman. She and Robert B. Shepard were married March 2, 1957, at Cape Girardeau.

She was a graduate of Jackson High School in 1953.

She worked in the billing department at Missouri Utilities Co. of Cape Girardeau, Explorer Party Tupperware Sales of Scott City and enjoyed being a homemaker. She was also a 4-H leader for Poplar Ridge 4-H Club.

She enjoyed being active in church, auctions, gardening, antiques and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

She was a former Sunday school teacher for many years. She was a member of First General Baptist Church.

Survivors include her husband of 62 years, Robert Shepard of Cape Girardeau; two daughters, Sandy S. (Bill) Lincoln of Leopold, Missouri, and Terri A. Shetley of Fredericktown, Missouri; two sisters, Sharon (Norman) Chapman of Cape Girardeau and Burna Walker of Jackson; sister-in-law, Geraldine Ackman of Sikeston, Missouri; grandchildren, Will and Dale Lincoln, Tasha (Ryan) Allgier, Brylan (Sydney) Moore and Addie Shetley; great-grandchildren, Reid and Cade Allgier; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Wayland and Gary Ackman; and three sisters, Mildred Hitt, Zeta Simms and Wanda Ackman.

Visitation will be from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

Funeral will follow at 3 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Jim Rudolph officiating. Burial will be at Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.

Memorial contributions may be given to First General Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.