Celebration of Life of Charles E. Sheppard

Charles Edward Sheppard was born on August 28, 1944, in Gaston County, North Carolina, to the late Clyde and Isabella Sheppard. He was the fourth of seven children.

At an early age, Charles accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Bessemer City, North Carolina. He received his education in Cherryville, North Carolina, and graduated from John Chavis High School with the Class of 1962. During his school years, Charles was a talented athlete who participated in baseball, football, and basketball.

He continued his education at Gaston Community College and Rowan Technical College. Charles was employed by Plantation Pipeline, where he worked faithfully until his retirement in 1999.

Charles proudly served his country in the United States Air Force, where he attained the rank of E-5 and received an honorable discharge. While serving, he met the love of his life, Mary Langford. They met on September 17, 1965, in Savannah, Georgia, when Mary was visiting her brother at the same Air Force base. Four years later, they were united in marriage.

In the early 1970s, Charles and his family joined Greenforest Community Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. Dr. George O. McCalep, Jr. After receiving his New Member Certificate, Brother Sheppard became a dedicated member of the Trusteeship, serving faithfully for many decades from Shamrock Drive to Rainbow Drive. He was also an active participant in Sunday School, beginning with Deacon Outlaw’s Adult Two class and later joining the Victory Fulfillment Hour Class. Charles further served in the Male Chorus, Veterans Ministry, and Audio Ministry.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Clyde, Lester, Rayford, Carolyn, and Jenelle.

He leaves to cherish his memory and legacy his devoted wife of 56 years, 3 months, and 14 days, Mary Langford Sheppard: his children, Charlotte (Anthony) Adams, Michael Sheppard, Berwin Sheppard, Evangelina Sheppard, Tabitha Sheppard and Kevin (Tanisha) Sheppard. His beloved grandchildren: Brandon (Nigeria) Sheppard, Dominique (Kayla) Adams, Natasha Adams, Erica Jenkins, Romello Sheppard, Nyla Sheppard, Kennedy Sheppard, Cameron Sheppard, Coby Sheppard, and Casan Sheppard; and great-grandchildren, Brandon Sheppard Jr., Naeem Sheppard, and London Adams. He is also survived by his aunts and uncles: Mammie Lipscomb, Robert Sheppard, Elizabeth Smith, Pauline Thompson, and Rosalie Sheppard; his siblings and in-laws: sister-in-law Helen of Houston, Texas; Joyce Sheppard of Passaic, New Jersey; Ernest Merritt of North Carolina, and Huston (Sharon) of Gastonia, North Carolina; along with a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, and church family members.

Charles Edward Sheppard will be deeply missed. He fought a good fight, he finished his course, and he kept the faith.