Willie Sheppard

Willie Sheppard was born to the late parent’s Mary A. Scott Sheppard and Fred Sheppard, September 4, 1932, in Accomack County, Virginia. He departed this life on September 18, 2020, suddenly at St. Agnes Hospital. He was preceded in death by all his siblings, sisters, Mary, Pearl, Annie and Margaret and brothers, Booker T, Douglass, Freddie, Garfield, George, James, Joe and Paul. As a young boy, not only was Willie Sheppard handsome but was strong as an “Ox”, therefore due to his physical abilities he worked on the family farm. After the death of his parents, Willie was raised by his oldest sister, Mary in Baltimore, Maryland. Willie respected his sister and liked to talk about her. Mary was a preacher and gave Willie his spiritual guidance. Boys will be boys and these mischievous acts came out with his younger sister. Margaret was a hairdresser and entrepreneur. One job they did together was collecting clear glasses and hauling it to the recycling company for cash “he loved that”. Willie loved working with his brother, Garfield, who was a plumber, still very strong as a young man, he would say to Garfield, “let me tighten it just a little bit more”, you got it water was all over the place, the two men would get home very late but got the job done! When Mary died, Willie stayed with his sister, Annie. She was a domestic worker and a “jack of all trades”. Annie taught Willie how to write his name and read numbers, he learned by repetition. He enjoyed walking to Lexington Market and shopping on Baltimore Street. “Okay time out” every Sunday Willie would put on a tie and visit his brother, James and wife, Agnes who lived up the street from Annie, they would spoil him. James would play the guitar and they would watch Westerns on TV together and eat well. After the death of James and Agnes, Annie enrolled Willie into the Waxter Center where he enjoyed playing pool. Every day was exciting for him. He also learned how to ride the bus to the Waxter Center and tell time by the hour. Annie became sick and Willie continued going to the Waxter Center. After Annie died then his niece, Margaret enrolled Willie into Adult Day Care. “Uncle Willie”, as we called him continued his pool game. He liked going to Walmart and dining out with the group. Sometimes his great-nephew, Kemp, would join him. Uncle Willie took pleasure in going to the gas station buying sodas. He was a humble man, never complained. He helped his niece, Margaret, with chores. They would attend spiritual meetings together and conventions. They also vacationed at his niece, Bernice, house and husband, James in Powhatan, Virginia. He also visited with his brother, George before his death. Sitting on the porch, Uncle Willie would say “Hi” to all his neighbors and porch buddies. On the weekend his great great-nieces and nephews would join him. In 2016 after the death of his nieces, Bernice and Margaret, Uncle Willie moved and stayed with his great-niece, Kim aka “Cookie. Cookie “spiritual family” embraced him and her neighbors loved him. Uncle Willie was in good hands and Cookie spoiled him. Uncle Willie was happy again. He loved wearing his colorful shirts and matching hats. He would wear his watch every day. Most of all he loved playing “Pitty Pat” and shooting pool.

Tributes

Willie Sheppard

September 4, 1932 - September 18, 2020