Geraldine Shepard

Geraldine Shepard (Odom), born on February 09, 1931, in Nansemond County, VA, received her eternal key to God’s home on Feb 19, 2023, surrounded by her family.  She was born to Etta Odom and Willie B. Taylor and raised by her grandparents Rev. George Stanley and Martha Odom.

The families moved to Portsmouth, VA in the 1940’s where she attended public schools to include I.C. Norcom High School. Third Baptist Church under Rev. C. H. Jordan (now Rev. Joseph A. Fleming) became her church home where she remained a faithful member serving in the Cub Scouts, Shepherd Group, Sunday School, gospel choir, and maintaining the church bulletin board.  She attended services faithfully until her health would no longer allow.

Geraldine worked various jobs, but her most important roles were serving the Lord and taking care of her family.  She was married to William Manning Shepard for 47 years when he departed this life on October 05, 2007.

She leaves to cherish her memory: two daughters, Beverly Odom and Karen B. Smith, and step-daughter Elayne Thompson, all of Portsmouth, VA; two sons, Wade Shepard (Deanna), Suffolk, VA, Robbie Maurice Shepard (Luvenia), and step-son Barry Shepard, all of Portsmouth, VA; brother-in-law Lynnwood Fleming (Barbara) of Fayetteville, NC; 13 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, 10 great-great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who will remember her with love.

Gone, but never forgotten; she will forever remain in our hearts.