Betty Jane Shepherd

Betty Jane Shepherd Betty Jane Shepherd, age 80 of Tazewell, VA, died Tues., Oct. 5, 2010, at Tazewell Community Hospital in Tazewell, VA. Born Feb. 28, 1930, in Wytheville, VA, she was a daughter of the late Walter and Lucy Nabors Johnson. She was a member of the Main Street United Methodist Church in Tazewell, VA. Mrs. Shepherd was a teacher's aide for 16 years beginning in 1963 at Tazewell Elementary School. Over the years prior to her declining health, she was active in various ways in her church and community including the church choir, serving as a Girl Scout Leader, volunteering with Special Olympics as well as the Tazewell Community Hospital Auxiliary, a Welcome Wagon Hostess for the Town of Tazewell, and was a former member of the Jeffersonville Women's Club. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Douglas Johnson and Walter Johnson, Jr. Survivors include her husband of 62 years, Howard Shepherd; one daughter, Melinda Newsome and husband, Curt, of Blacksburg, VA; one son, Russell W. Shepherd of Tazewell, VA; four grandchildren, Travis Shepherd, Kaitlyn Shepherd, Curtis Newsome, III, and Elizabeth Newsome; one great grandchild; and one nephew, Gary Johnson of Marion, VA. A memorial service was conducted at 4:00 p.m. Sun., Oct. 10, 2010 at Main St. United Methodist Church in Tazewell, VA, with the Rev. Kathie Wilson-Parker officiating. The family received friends at Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home in Tazewell, VA, from 6-8 p.m. Sat., Oct. 9, 2010. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be directed to Main St. United Methodist Church, 315 E. Main St., Tazewell, VA, 24651, or to the Jeffersonville Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 716, Tazewell, VA 24651. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.peerystclairfuneralhome.com