Barbara Grayson

Servant of the Lord, Barbara Grayson, of South Bend, Indiana, peacefully entered eternal rest on January 8, 2026. Barbara was born on July 14, 1948, in Elkhart, Indiana, to the late Florida C. Sheppard Sr. and Dorothy A. Sheppard.

For most of her professional life, Barbara worked as an Administrative Assistant. She was employed by Whitehall Laboratories in Elkhart, Indiana, for 22 years. After retiring from Whitehall Laboratories, Barbara found retirement a bit too quiet and returned to the workforce, becoming gainfully employed by the City of South Bend at the St. Joseph County Clerk's Office. After many years of service there, she fully stepped away from physical work – but her work for the Lord never ended.

Barbara was a devoted servant of God and a faithful, active member of Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, where she joyfully served as a pianist and singer. Her love for gospel music ran deep. She began her music ministry early, singing alongside her father, the late Florida C Sheppard Sr., with popular local group The Dynamic Voices. She later continued her musical calling through The Heavenly Heirs of South Bend, Indiana, a group she helped establish in 2002 with Tracy (Britt) Jones, Keisha Westley, and her daughter Kia. The original Heavenly Heirs later welcomed Tracy Whitfield and Evelina Thomas.

In 2005, Barbara and The Heavenly Heirs recorded the title track of the album Heaven is My Goal – a reflection of the very message she lived by. She was blessed to travel across the country with the group, using her gift of music to minister to countless lives, a calling she deeply loved.

During this time, Barbara fulfilled a long-desired goal of earning a bachelor's degree in ministry from Bethel University in Mishawaka, Indiana.

Daily, Barbara stretched her hands toward the Lord, living with Heaven as her constant goal. She often proclaimed that when she reached "Glory Land," she would "Study War No More." She lived ready, faithful, and trusting in Jesus – secure in the promise of her eternal home.

That day came at 9:46 a.m. on January 8, 2026, when she answered Heaven's call and became a permanent resident of the Kingdom Of God. Heaven gained a worshiper, and Earth released a faithful servant- but her faith, her music, and her praise will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

Barbara's legacy continues through her children Anthony Abernathy (Knoxville, TN), and Nikki (Kia) Williams (Michael). (South Bend, IN).

She will be deeply missed by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Dion'ne Sheppard (Phoenix, AZ), mother of Jariah Stuckey and Aubriana Cole; Kionne Greene (Chritopher Accettura), Indianapolis, IN), mother of Janiyah Greene and Jayon Greene; Likisha Sheppard (South Bend, IN), mother of Mikisha Sheppard; Dennis Tucker Jr. (Indianapolis, IN)

Barbara is also survived by her sister, Betty Phelps (SC); and her brothers, Michael Sheppard (Tucson, AZ); Kevin Sheppard (Udricka), (Pensacola, FL); and Patrick Stevens (Raygen), (Goshen, IN)., and a host of nieces, nephews, and other family and friends.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, sister, Lois Sheppard-Haynes, Brothers, Florida C. Sheppard Jr., Robert Sheppard, and Mark Stevens, and great-grandson, Deunta Lee.

Visitation for Barbara will be held on January 23, 2026, from 10:00 am-12:00 pm at Bethlehem Baptist Church 24393 Fillmore Road, South Bend, IN. 46619 Funeral service will begin at 12:00 pm at Bethlehem Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, South Bend. Condolences can be sent to the family via the Palmer Funeral Home website, www.palmerfuneralhomes.com