Barbara Ann Shepherd, of the Cowee community, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on July 27, 2020. Before marrying and moving to Macon County, Barbara was raised on Chestnut Cove in the Pumpkintown area of Jackson County. She was proud and thankful to be the granddaughter of the late Burt Webb and Mamie Trantham Webb. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Jack Henson and Cordelia “Judy” Webb Sizemore, and special aunts (who were more like sisters), Margaret Ashe, Mary Redoutey Ellis, and Betty Browning.

Barbara enjoyed sewing, reading, conversation, shopping for clothes, listening to preaching and gospel music, telling stories of her childhood, and caring for her little dogs – Buttons, Sophie, Buddy, and Mia. Although she faced persistent physical challenges throughout her life, Barbara was never bitter or without hope. She was a meticulous homemaker, and even in her final years, could get more accomplished from a wheelchair than most others could do standing.

Barbara is survived by her husband of 56 years, Lonnie Ray Shepherd, whom she met at the old Franklin skating rink; daughter, Tracie Shepherd (Deanna) of Franklin, NC; her only grandchild, Mady Shepherd-Lucky, who was the light of her life and her faithful baking and shopping buddy; very dear and close aunt, Ethel McMahan (Bobby) of Sylva, NC; half-sister, Donna Henson Okninski (Bob) of Berkley Springs, WV; sisters-in-law Jan Younce (David) of Murphy and Betty Tallent (Jerry) of Greenville, SC; brothers-in-law Roger Shepherd (Maxine) of Candler, Robert Shepherd (Judy), Ken Shepherd (Shirley), Raymond Shepherd (Laverne), and Steve Shepherd all of Franklin. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.

Visitation is from 1-2pm on Thursday, July 30 at Macon Funeral Home, followed by a graveside service at Shepherd Memorial Cemetery in Cowee. Longtime friends Davis Hooper and Wayne Sheffield will officiate.

Ethan Teague, John Walker, Ken (Dooley) Shepherd, Mike Shepherd, David Younce, and Fred (Buddy) Talley will serve as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Shepherd Cemetery, C/O Josephine Jennings, PO Box 781, Franklin, NC 28744 or Zion Hill Baptist Church, Cemetery Fund, c/o Mary Wilson, 3110 Pumpkintown Rd, Sylva, NC 28779.

Macon Funeral Home is serving the family.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.maconfuneralhome.com