Frances Sheppard

Frances Adelle Sheppard was born on February 21, 1917 in Spearsville, Louisiana to the late Allen Ramsey and Lillie Bell Gleason-Ramsey; she was one of twelve 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, Mrs. Sheppard accepted Christ at an early age. After moving to several location in south Arkansas, then to Detroit and back to Arkansas, Mrs. 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 Mrs. Nan Lowery and Mrs. 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 ten siblings. Her sweet memory will remain in the hearts of her son, Roy Allen (Michelle) Sheppard of North Little Rock, AR; daughters, Lillie F. Deuberry and Shirley Sheppard-Jackson both of Sherwood, AR; and her sister, Eva Carmichael of Menlo Park, CA. She also leaves six grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Public visitation will be Tuesday, February 21, 2017 from 12 noon until 4:30 p.m. at the funeral home. A celebration of her life will be shared with family and friends at New Bethel Baptist Church on Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Bobby Patterson, officiating and Rev. Pierce Moore, eulogist. Interment will be in Lott Burgy Cemetery in El Dorado, Arkansas under the direction of Sims Mortuary. Sign the guestbook online at www.simsmortuary.com To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Frances Sheppard, please visit our flower store.