Mary Sheppard Obit

Rains Co. Cemeteries of TX

Submitted by Elaine Nall Bay

Mary Emily (Parrish) Sheppard
1940 - 2003

Funeral services for Mary Emily (Parrish) Sheppard of Emory were held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, Dec. 15, at the Emory church of Christ with Richard Kellam, minister of the Point church of Christ, and the Honorable Judge Lanny Ramsay of Mt. Vernon officiating.
Interment was at the Turner Cemetery in the Willow Springs Community. Pallbearers were Joey Coker, Jason McCrary, Paul Lowe, Rusty Fry, Jason Rabe, Robby Osborne, and Clint Reneau.
Mrs. Sheppard passed away in her home on Friday, Dec. 12, following a courageous battle with cancer.
Mary was born Sept. 26, 1940, in Emory to the late W.N. and Hazel Parrish. She attended Emory schools and graduated from Emory High School in 1958.
On Sept. 2, 1961, she was united in marriage at the Emory church of Christ to Durwood Lee (Woody) Sheppard of Sulphur Springs. The couple began their life together in Mesquite.
Mary was employed by Hartford Insurance in Dallas throughout the 1960’s. In 1970 she and Woody returned to Emory following the birth of their son, Shannon Lee Sheppard.
In 1978 she began her service to the citizens of Rains County in the county judge’s office. In 1982 she ran for the office of county/district clerk, and in winning that election she became the first woman to hold that post in the history of Rains County. She served for a total of five terms, until her retirement on Sept. 30, 2001.
Mary was an active member of the Point Church of Christ.
She is survived by her husband of 42 years, Woody; their son Shannon and his wife Lori of Waxahachie; grandchildren, Shelbi and Luke; mother, Hazel Parrish of Emory; two brothers, Robert Parrish of Emory and Ted Parrish of Longview; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her father Nolan Parrish; an infant daughter, Shelley Leigh.
Wilson-Orwosky Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements