Joe was born October 10, 1924, in Kemper County to Joseph and Lillian Richardson Shepard. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Louisville where he was an active member of the church choir, the United Methodist Men’s Group, and a member of the Men’s Chorus. Joe was a founding member of the Winston County Habitat for Humanity and was involved in building the first Habitat house in Louisville. After high school, he attended Mississippi State University on a football scholarship. Joe answered the call of his country during World War II by serving in the United States Army. He was part of the sixth wave of troops that stormed the Normandy Beach during D-Day on June 4, 1944. Later, he served as General George Patton’s bodyguard riding a motorcycle leading General Patton’s motorcade. He retired as the Public Relations Coordinator for PepsiCo at Disney World.
Joe is survived by his wife of 67 years, Lois Holdiness Shepard of Louisville; and his daughter, Sandra Griffin and husband, William, of Woodstock, Georgia. One of his greatest joys was being “Poppy” to his two granddaughters: Kelly Barrere and husband, Wayne, of Cartersville, Georgia; and Catherine Calomeni of Roswell, Georgia; as well as four great-grandchildren: Carter and Andrew Barrere and Noelle and Kendal Calomeni. Also left to mourn his passing is his sister, Marie Conway of Houston, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers: Harold, Russell, and Clyde Shepard; and his sister, Eddie Mae Roebuck.
Memorials may be given to the Mississippi Kidney Foundation, 3000 Old Canton Road, Suite 110, Jackson, MS 39216.
Services are under the direction of Nowell-Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.
