Linda "Mama" Sheppard

GREENSBORO On March 21, 2017, Mama entered the eternal bowling alley in the heavens, after a brief illness. She was born in Greensboro on October 13, 1950 to Mildred Mathis and Walter Thomas Willard at St. Leo's hospital. She attended Porter Elementary and Southeast Guilford High. She worked at Southland Music for several years until they closed. In 1976, she met the love of her life and soulmate and was married on August 13, 1977. She went to work for Container Corporation of America in 1977 and retired in 1999 to care for her ailing mother. After the passing of her mother, she went to work for Icon Advisory Group, until they relocated to Dallas, TX. In 2007, she began bowling at Triad Lanes and quickly became a beloved member of a large bowling family. Everyone knew her as "Mama" and called her as such. She was very much loved by so many people and will surely be greatly missed. She was preceded in death by her husband of 28 years, Dudley Hiram Sheppard, her mother, Mildred Willard, her father, Walter Thomas and infant brother, Aaron Thomas Willard. Those left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Melissa Sheppard, brother Ricky Willard and wife Carol, nephew Brian Willard and wife Kristine, great niece and nephew, Claire and Wesley, "adopted son" Travis Meris and fianc? Kelly, and her "granddogs" Paisley, Wysty, Heaven and Falcon. She also leaves behind many "adopted" kids, a large bowling family, as well as her Precision Printing family. Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at Guilford Memorial Park, conducted by the Reverend Augusta Ed Lawing. The family will receive friends at the Hanes-Lineberry Funeral Home Sedgefield Chapel on Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Mama's name to Bowl for the Cure, the Johnnie Mae Hooker Foundation, Special Olympics or Bingo Pet Hospice. Online condolences can be made at www.haneslineberryfuneralhomes.com.