A Service of Remembrance Celebrating The Life Of. I n Leo. r J, d r e h p e Sh - Alpha - July 28, 1943 - Omega - February 16, 2013 So we are always of good courage; we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:6-7)
Journey of Faith Leon I. Shepherd, Jr. was born on July 28, 1943 in San Antonio, Texas. He was the older of two sons born to the union of Leon I. Shepherd, Sr. and Jewel O Neal Shepherd. He received his formal education in Houston, Texas. He graduated from Jack Yates High School in 1961 and later attended Texas Southern University. After a brief courtship, Leon was united in Holy matrimony to Sherry Leverta Griffin on February 1, 1969. To this union of 44 years, two daughters were born - Mecole LeSharne and Monique Yvette. Leon was so proud of his family and the achievements attained by his beautiful daughters. He was a dedicated and loving husband to his wife who traveled together throughout the United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean. He was a loving father to his children and son-in-law of more than 10 years; and a loving Paw paw to grandchildren - Cheridyn Noel and Coy IV. Leon believed in hard work and was always respected by colleagues. He was employed with Reed Tool Company for more than 15 years, and later retired from the Houston Independent School District. Additionally, during his career, he still found the time to work for more than 20 subsequent years with Aramark Distributors at the Houston Astrodome. Leon accepted Christ at an early age during his membership at Trinity East United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas. In 1978, he and his family joined Wesley Chapel AME Church under the leadership of Reverend E. E. Coates. He enjoyed being a member of the Wesley AME Men s Chorus and faithfully served on the Wesley AME Steward Board for over 30 years. In 1980, he joined the Ever Ready Lodge #506 and became a Master Mason. Leon was also an advent gardener who took great pride in his yard, vegetables, and fruit trees. However, he took equal or even greater pride as a self proclaimed pit master and delighted in watching how people savored the flavor of his most famous beef briskets. Leon entered into eternal rest on February 16, 2013. He was preceded in death by his father, Leon I. Shepherd, Sr. and leaves to cherish his memory: his devoted wife of 44 years, Sherry Shepherd; two daughters, Mecole Leverette (Coy III) and Monique Shepherd; two grandchildren, Cheridyn and Coy Leverette, IV; mother, Jewel Shepherd; one brother, Jerry Shepherd, Sr.; one surviving uncle, Winfred O Neal; mother-in-law, Ollie Chappell; two brothers-in-law, Kent Chappell and James Griffin (Cami); three sisters-in-law, Suzette Raggs (James), Vernelda Walker (O.G.), and Judy Baptist (John); Clarence Pete Batiste and a host of other cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. To Those I Love And Those Who Love Me When I am gone, release me, let me go, I have so many things to see and do You mustn t tie yourself to me with tears, Be happy that we had so many years. I gave you love, you can only guess, How much you gave to me in happiness. I thank you for the love you each have shown, But now it s time that I traveled on alone. So grieve a while for me if you must, Then let your grief be comforted with trust, It s only for a while that we must part, So keep the memories within your heart. And then when you must come this way alone I ll greet you with a smile and a Welcome Home. May God Bless you. Leon I. Shepherd, Jr.
Order of Service Saturday, February 23, 2013 Ten O clock in the Morning Wesley African Methodist Episcopal Church 2209 Dowling Street Houston, Texas 77003 Reverend Leo Griffin, Pastor Reverend Leonard Lee, Officiating ORGAN PRELUDE PROCESSIONAL...Clergy and Family OPENING HYMN...Congregation PRAYER...Rev. Leonard Lee THE HOLY SCRIPTURES: Old Testament...Rev. Eddie Gilmore Greater Morning Star Baptist Church New Testament...Bishop Bobby Butler Emmanuel Deliverance Temple of Refuge, Inc. SELECTION...Alvin Francis and Wesley AME Choir OBITUARY...(Read Silently to Soft Music) RESOLUTIONS & ACKNOWLEDGMENTS REFLECTIONS & EXPRESSIONS: Charles Spiller Ronnie Branch Maxine Stokes Suzette Raggs SOLO...Tangy Reed and Wesley AME Choir EULOGY...Elder Heloise Wilson RECESSIONAL...Clergy, Family and Friends I Know a Place
Early Memories A moment lasts all of a second, but the memory lives on forever.
tribute to my husband Although death has separated us physically, faith and love have bound us eternally. Though I cannot see you, I know you are here. Though I cannot touch you, I feel your warmth. Thank you for giving me the absolute best gift of all...yourself. I love you!!! - Love Sherry-
tribute to our dad We are thinking about how much you meant to us and the ways you ve made such a wonderful difference in our lives. Thank you for always letting us know we could always count on you, that you believed in us and you d stand by us no matter what. Thank you for encouraging the dreamer in us, for loving us through each and every fad and phase, and for accepting our ideas when they were different from your own. Thank you for having faith, during the times when we had to do things on our own, and for being there when things didn t work out exactly how we thought they would. Thank you for being our wonderful, wise and loving father. WE WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU!! - Mecole & Monique our loving paw-paw Its your time to rest at peace Paw-Paw. We know you miss us as much as we miss you. In our eyes it wasn t your time to go, but God needed you. We will shed tears and we all still pray. We promise never to forget you. We both had our special moments and memories with you, but Paw-Paw its your time to rest in peace and be where you belong. Until we all meet again... - Cheridyn and Coy IV
Active Pallbearers Kirk Chappell Patrick Glass James Griffin Jerry Shepherd, Jr. Jonathan Wade Tyson Walker Michael Williams Honorary Pallbearers John Baptist Clarence Batiste Kent Chappell Clarence Cook Michael Donovan Herman Harris Coy Leverette, III James Raggs Van Richardson Charles Spiller O.G. Walker Our Sincerest Thanks... The family of Leon I. Shepherd, Jr. wishes to acknowledge, with humble hearts and great appreciation for every expression of sympathy and acts of kindness shown during our time of bereavement. You have shared your prayers, visits, phone calls, and love with us. We shall be forever grateful. May God bless each and every one of you. Special Thanks... The physicians and clinicians at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Dr. Irving Gold & Dr. Janet Tu And He Shall Rest at Houston Memorial Gardens 2426 Cullen Parkway Houston, Texas 77584 Services Lovingly Fulfilled by Johnson Funeral Home, Inc. Over 75 Years of Dedicated Service to Our Community 5730 Calhoun Rd. Houston, Texas 77021 Phone: (713) 747-9604 Fax: (713) 741-5849 Deborah Jones, Funeral Director Program Designed & Printed by U-Niq Kreationz 832.630.5542 www.uniqkreationz.com