Virginia Allen "Ginny" Shepherd

Virginia Allen Gunn Shepherd

Virginia Allen Gunn Shepherd, 89, of Charlottesville, died on Sunday, August 8, 2010, surrounded by her loving family at the Martha Jefferson House. She was a devoted and caring wife, mother, and grandmother.

She was born on February 25, 1921, in Dinwiddie County, Virginia, the daughter of the late William Herbert Gunn and Sarah "Sadie" Ivy Allen Gunn. She was also preceded in death by her husband, George Jackson Shepherd Jr.; and her sister, Bette Gunn Baldacci.

Virginia graduated from Hopewell High School and John Marshall Night Business School in Richmond. She worked as secretary to the President of Bodeker Drug Company, now Owens and Minor, Incorporated. In 1943, she met George Jackson "Jack" Shepherd Jr. of Chester, Virginia, who was a salesman at Bodeker Drug Company. In May of 1944 they were married at First Baptist Church in Richmond. They moved to Charlottesville in October of 1944 when Mr. Shepherd transferred to a new sales territory.

She was a member of University Baptist Church and was director of the nursery for many years. She was known as "Ginny" by her church friends. In addition to raising a family, she was an active volunteer with the Girl Scouts, the University of Virginia Medical Center Pink Ladies, and the Senior Center Foster Grandparent program where she read to first graders. She loved children, gardening, cooking and her family. Virginia, Jack and their girls enjoyed weekends and summer vacations on their boat in Urbanna. She was an avid supporter and fan of the University of Virginia and its athletic programs. She regularly attended football, basketball and baseball games including post-season tournaments. She personally knew many coaches and players over the years and enjoyed making cakes for them. She was a member of the University of Virginia Student Aid Foundation and the University of Virginia Lawn Society.

Virginia administered a charitable trust created by a former neighbor and friend, Ward Ensminger, at his death. Mrs. Shepherd approached this responsibility with enthusiasm. She directed the investment of its assets and donations and the distribution of the assets, which benefited many charitable organizations in Charlottesville.

Surviving her are three daughters, Carolyn Hallett and her husband, Henry, of Pinehurst, North Carolina; Judy Goodson and her husband, Bill, of Winston-Salem, North Carolina; and Sarah Shepherd of Charlottesville; and two grandchildren, Kelly Eddins of Charlottesville and Jason Eddins of St. Louis, Missouri.

A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Friday, August 13, 2010, at the University Baptist Church with Dr. Tom Leland officiating. The family will receive friends following the service at the church. A private interment will be held later at Sunset Memorial Park in Chester, Virginia.

The family extends special thanks to the staff at the Martha Jefferson House for the care and love shown while Virginia was in their care; to Dr. Mark Williams for his warm and compassionate care; to her many church friends who visited and sent her cards; and especially to Joe Gieck, whose friendship and visits brought such pleasure.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests that donations be made to the Joe Gieck Professorship in Sports Medicine, Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia, University Baptist Church, 1223 West Main Street, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903, Hospice of the Piedmont, 675 Peter Jefferson Parkway, Suite 300, Charlottesville, Virginia 22911.

Friends may sign the guest book at www.hillandwood.com.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.