Deborah “Debbie” Shepard, an extraordinary woman who was driven by the desire to help others. Not a biological mother, but the mother of hundreds. She was a mother to the helpless and hopeless, and made no distinction of person. To Debbie no soul was unredeemable and no person was to be discarded. A Godly role model to many, a woman who never thought herself, but was always thinking of others. She spread not only the Gospel, but the love of Christ, becoming directly responsible for bringing people to salvation. She left a legacy of Christ’s enduring love to all she touched, a deeply affective woman, a true angel. On Monday Debbie received her crown, but knowing her, she has probably given it to someone else. And, if she could speak, she would challenge us all to do the same.
The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2020 at Ivey Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Chris Humphries and Rev. Jean Watson officiating. Interment will be at Webb Baptist Church Cemetery, Webb, AL with Mike Wiggins, Spencer Faurot, Vic Pemberton, B. John Anvar, Jimmy Boyd and Wayne Chandler serving as active pallbearers.
The family will receive friends immediately following the service. Online visitors may sign the guest register at www.iveyfuneral.com.
Deborah Ann Shepard was born December 18, 1956 in Bainbridge, GA, the daughter of E.B. and Ruth Brackin Shepard. She was a graduate of Bainbridge High School, Class of 1974. Debbie was a member of First Baptist Church and Post Worthy Matron of Order of Eastern Star #267.
Survivors include her siblings, David & Carolyn Sheppard and Terry & Benny Bell, all of Bainbridge; and a host of nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Debbie was preceded in death by her siblings, Linda S. Fields, Wayne Shepard, Betty Jo Shepard and Joan Shepard.
One of my sweetest customers but more importantly a great friend who always called just to say hi ❤️! Ms. Debbie I’ll miss our talks! Heaven gained a great soul!
Debbie, I thankyou for talking to me after my diagnoses of Crest Syndrome, which at first was thought to be Lupus due to DNA blood analysis, then Rheumotologists confirmed C.S. Thankyou for friendship .
After reading the obit, I was not surprised by the praises that others gave her. Debbie was a couple years younger than me, but we grew up together attending West Street Baptist Church. It saddened me to no end to read of her passing, but the sadness was tempered by the joy that her life brought to others. We had lost touch with her and her family when we changed churches shortly after we got married in 1978 and a few years later moved out of state when I took a job transfer due to location I had been working at closed.