Dorothy LaBorde "Dot" Shepard

.
A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, January 31, 2025, at 11:00 am at Fountain Memorial Funeral Home for Dorothy 'Dot' LaBorde Shepard, 85, who passed away on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at The Carpenter House of St. Joseph Hospice in Lafayette, LA.
Visitation will be observed at Fountain Memorial Funeral Home in Lafayette, LA on Thursday, January 30, 2025, from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm and will resume on Friday, January 31, 2025, from 10:00 am until the time of service.
Entombment will follow in Fountain Memorial Cemetery in Lafayette.
Senior Pastor Jacob Aranza, of Our Savior's Church in Lafayette, will officiate.
Dorothy Cecile LaBorde Shepard, affectionately known as 'Dot', was born August 13, 1939, in Marksville, LA and was a long-time resident of Acadiana. Dot's younger years, ages 3 to 5, took her family to New Orleans, where she attended kindergarten on St. Charles Avenue. Later, her parents moved back to Avoyelles Parish and she graduated from Marksville High School eighth grade with high honors. She was chosen May Queen, by popular vote of grades 8 through 12, in 1953. In the summer of 1953, the family moved to Rapides Parish. Dot graduated from Poland High School in Alexandria, LA, Class of 1957 as Valedictorian. She also participated as cheerleader, basketball forward and was voted Homecoming Queen. The following summer Dot attended Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, LA. In 1962, she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary and Secondary Education with a Minor in Library Science and was also ROTC Sponsor for Company C.
Dot attended Louisiana State University and received her Second Language Specialist in French, as she already knew the local French of Avoyelles Parish. In 1982, Dot received her Masters of Education plus 30 hours in Principalship, Supervisor of Student Teaching, and Supervisor of Instruction. Her Teaching and Librarianship career started in 1962 and she retired in 1995, after 33 years of service.
In 1984, Dot took a sabbatical where she had applied for a VIP position to the Louisiana World's Fair and was chosen as one of the five persons to represent the State of Louisiana in New Orleans.
The CODOFIL Summer Programs were instrumental in her studies in French. She received several scholarships during the summers attending the University of Montpellier, France; Paul Vallery University, France; Paris Sorbonne Nouvelle during three different summers; also, Dot attended summer classes in Belgium and Trois Riviere in Quebec City.
Dot was devoted in her faith and attended Our Savior's Church in Lafayette. She treasured the word of the Lord: "God's way is perfect. All the Lord's promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection. Psalm 18:30"
After retirement from Rapides Parish School System, Dot most enjoyed spending time with family and friends, reading historical novels and the Bible, and visiting famous places. Family meant everything to Dot, and she leaves a legacy of love and will be deeply missed.
Dot is survived by her beloved husband of 30 years, William A. Shepard, of Lafayette; her son, Tyrrell L. 'Terry' White, of Deville, LA; her grandson, Rodney White and his wife, Claire, of Dubai, United Arab Emirates; her great-grandsons, Kaige, Ryder, and Crew of, Dubai, United Arab Emirates; her step-son, Thomas H. Shepard, of Pensacola, FL; her step-daughter, Ginger Wayland Shepard, of Pensacola, FL and her step-granddaughter, Sara Wayland
She was preceded in death by her parents Arnie P. and Mable M. Gaspard LaBorde of Marksville; her brother, Roy P. LaBorde and her nephew, Jay LaBorde.
The family wishes to thank the staff of St. Joseph Hospice of Lafayette for the compassionate care given to Dot and her family.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Dot's name to Our Savior's Church, 101 Marie Antoinette St, Lafayette, LA 70506, 337-806-9621, https://oursaviorschurch.com/giving/; St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105, 800-805-5856, https://www.stjude.org/ or Salvation Army of Lafayette, 212 Sixth Street / P.O. Box 3504 Lafayette LA 70501, 337-235-2407, https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/.
Online obituary and guest book may be viewed at www.fountainmemorialfuneralhome.com.
Fountain Memorial Funeral Home and Cemetery, 1010 Pandora St., 337-981-7098 is in charge of arrangements.