Virginia Shepard

Virginia Shepard, age 97, passed away peacefully Thursday, August 6, 2020. She was born in West Virginia in 1923 where she met some of her lifelong friends. She married the love of her life, naval officer William Blount Shepard, Jr. in 1946. Navy life was busy and adventurous. They began their married life in Corpus Christi where they started their family. They moved to Patuxent River, Pensacola, back to Corpus Christi, Whidbey Island, and to Patuxent River again before moving to Albuquerque where they later retired.

Virginia was a classy, fun-loving woman who valued family and faith. She was an excellent cook and a gracious hostess. She was a member of several bridge clubs and an active member of First Christian Church in Albuquerque. She enjoyed traveling to various parts of the United States with her lifelong friends, “The Golden Girls”, once they were widowed.

Virginia is preceded in death by her husband Bill in 1988, her parents Esther and Earnest, her brother George & Polly Howard, brother Harry & Helen Appell, brother-in-law Tom & Becky Shepard, brother-in-law Jasper Hassell, and countless dear friends.

Virginia was wonderfully devoted to her children and their families, and she leaves behind a beautiful legacy. Children, Ann Bradley of Washington DC, Becky & Gene Castlebury of Albuquerque, NM, Katy & Scott Weir of Topeka, KS, Bill & Susan Shepard of Littleton, CO; grandchildren, Jerry & Leilani Bradley, Aaron Bradley, Carrie & Mark Pierce, Matt & Carla Driver, Sara Driver, Evan & Katie Weir, Cameron Weir, Abby & Sean Eno, Joe & Aysia Shepard, Zach Shepard; great-grandchildren, Chloe, Grace & Lexie Pierce, Bailey Driver, Parker Albright, Isla & Will Weir, Caia & Jasper Shepard, Eva Eno.

Family services are being held Saturday, August 15, 2020 at First Christian Church. She will be laid to rest at The Santa Fe National Cemetery. The family invites you to join the service virtually with a link that is available on this online guest book. https://youtu.be/zdUGSj9-r4I Donations can be made to the William and Virginia Shepard Memorial Fund at The Ranches at 6209 Hendrix Rd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110.