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Emma Sheppard Obituary
Jo was the second of five children born in Carthage, MS to Milton and Lomie Rhodes Massey. She was raised in Carthage and later moved to Greenwood. While raising her children, Jo earned her medical assistant degree and worked in that capacity for numerous doctors in the Greenwood area until her retirement.
Outside of work, Jo spent countless hours counseling many people throughout the community and within her family. Her advice, which was given with love, was often balanced with much needed blunt honesty. She spent a significant portion of her life trying to redirect lives through her sacrificial devotion to counseling others in different recovery programs. During her free time, Jo relaxed by honing her creative skills. She enjoyed painting, gardening, sewing and photography. She ensured her creative legacy would continue by passing these skills to her children and grandchildren.
Mrs. Sheppard is preceded in death by her parents, her step-father, G. L. Scott, her sisters, Carolyn Massey and Jane Goodson, a step-brother, Davis C. Scott and his wife Mary.
Jo is survived by her husband of 46 years, William M. (Willie) Sheppard, three daughters; Patra Fontenot (Jerry) of New Orleans, LA, Patsy Dunn of Oxford, MS, Sharon Hankins (Steve) of Starkville, MS, two sons; Mickey Gilmer (Margaret) of Starkville, MS, Bill Sheppard (Michelle) of Hernando, MS, a sister; Merril Goolsby (Bobby) of Biloxi, MS, a brother; Larry Massey (Sue) of Walnut Grove, MS, a step-sister; Rita Morris (Bob) of Alpharetta, GA, a step-brother; Norman Scott (Jenece) of Bartlett, TN, 17 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and countless other family and friends.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or the charity of donor's choice.
An online guestbook may be signed at www.greenwoodmsfuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Emma Sheppard
1 Entry
October 7, 2017
Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Jerry and Jo Kaufman
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