Lorraine Sheppard

                Mrs. Lorraine Howard Sheppard, age 80, of 608 Mt. Pleasant Drive, died Friday, October 23, 2009, at her residence.  She was the wife of Oscar Thomas “O.T.” Sheppard, Jr.

                Mrs. Sheppard was born July 18, 1929 in Clinton, IA and reared in Danavang, TX, the daughter of the late Calvin Nelson Howard and the Andrea Rena Andersen Howard.  She was a 35 year cancer survivor and was formerly employed as a certified nursing assistant working for Dr. Garcia at his clinic.  Mrs. Sheppard was a member of Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church where she served her church as the President of the Women of the Church and a Sunday school teacher.  An excellent seamstress, she made clothes and sewed puppets for the puppet ministry at the church.  She loved music and played the violin.

                In addition to her husband of sixty-three years, Oscar Thomas “O.T.” Sheppard, Jr. , Mrs. Sheppard is survived by two sons, Oscar Thomas Sheppard, III and wife, Pat of Sun City, FL, Everett Mark Sheppard and wife, Sharon of Cloverdale; two daughters, Elizabeth Joy Sheppard Fox Bowling and husband, Bernard; Sharon Kay Sheppard Hanna and husband, Ralph of White Sulphur Springs, WV; thirteen grandchildren;  thirteen step grandchildren; her beloved dog, Stormy; a number of  great grandchildren and step great grandchildren;  two brothers, Donald Howard and Richard Howard, both of Portland, OR; a number of nieces and nephews.

                In addition to her parents, Calvin Nelson Howard and Rena Andersen Howard, Mrs. Sheppard was preceded in death by two sisters, Dolly Howard Faultize and Betty Howard Cram.

                A funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 P.M. Monday, October 26, 2009, from the chapel of Loving Funeral Home with Hobart Butler, Jr. officiating, assisted by the Rev. Steven Weedling and the Rev. Jim Duncan.  Interment will follow in Alleghany Memorial Park.

                Pallbearers will be grandsons.

                The family will receive friends on Sunday evening from 7:00 P.M. until 8:30 P.M. at Loving Funeral Home.

                The family suggests that memorial tributes take the form of contributions to Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church, 107 Mt. Pleasant Drive, Covington, VA 24426 or Falling Spring Fire & Rescue Squad, 305 Friels Drive, P.O. Box 880, Covington, VA 24426.