Edith M. Shepherd

Edith Margaret Shepherd

She was a caring, full-time mom, a hairdresser, a grandmother (Mamma), a golfer, a part-time psychiatrist, a card player, a great grandmother, a sister, an aunt, a friend, an unpaid assistant coach and a firebrand who you didn't want to cross.

She never lost her small-town values living outside the big city and her loyalty was only equaled by the number of friends she made and kept throughout the years.

She watched thousands of sporting events in her 84 years and she would have made a splendid umpire or referee because she knew the rules and was never afraid to call it the way she saw it.

She cheered as loud and long for her flock of relatives as she did for her famous basketball playing sons and grandchildren.

She once struck out her future husband in a softball game, but big Bill Shepherd would be the first to admit that spending his life with Edie was a home run in every way.

Edith Margaret Shepherd, who passed away July 19, after a valiant battle with cancer, should be remembered as a spirited lady who touched a lot of lives with her infectious personality and ability to make people feel like part of her gargantuan family.

One of 11 children born to Grover and Margaret Perry on Jan. 14, 1927 in Bartholomew County, Indiana. Edie was a cheerleader when she caught the eye of William Shepherd at a junior high hoops game. They were married in 1948 and teamed up to deliver a pair of Mr. Basketballs (Billy in 1968 and Dave in 1970) as big Bill coached his sons and put the tiny town of Carmel on the map of Hoosier Hysteria.

But the two hoops stars didn't get any more attention or special treatment than daughter Cindy and her third son, Steve, who also played basketball at the college level, as Edie handed out discipline and affection in equal doses.

In between raising her family, Edie owned and operated a beauty shop in Carmel. Her home became a haven for little folks as Mamma passed on her logic and love to 15 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and three step grandkids.

A strong Christian, Edie endured many health challenges throughout the past 30 years but soldiered on with nary a call for sympathy.

She is survived by her husband of 63 years, William Lee, and their four children: Billy (Connie), Dave (Sally), Cindy McCurdy, Steve (Chris) and three siblings: Charlene Jordan, Josephine Robertson and Dale Perry (Joan).

Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Thursday, July 21, at Carmel United Methodist Church. Funeral Services will be 11 a.m. Friday, July 22, at the church, where friends are invited to gather one hour prior to the time of service. Burial will follow in Carmel Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Carmel United Methodist Church or the American Cancer Society.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Bussell Family Funerals , 1621 E. Greyhound Pass. Friends are invited to share thoughts with the family by visiting the funeral home's website: http://www.bussellfamilyfunerals.com