Viola M. Shepard, 101, of Cherokee Village, AR, formerly of Centralia, Illinois passed away peacefully October 3, 2021, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro, AR.
Viola, the daughter of Albert and Edith Bronson. She married Marion Shepard on May 27, 1938, and he preceded her in death on August 13, 1999, after 61 years of marriage.
Viola is survived by four children: Kenneth Shepard and wife Iris of Park Rapids, Minnesota, Sharon “Shari” Bradley and husband David of Cherokee Village, Arkansas, Charlene Hess and husband Richard of St. Anne, Illinois, and DeWayne Shepard and wife Brooks of Ponder, Texas. Grandchildren: Chris Hale and wife Zina, Kari Lynn Tarvin and husband Tim, Lana Kay Lane and husband Doug, Carmen Shepard and wife Julie, Daniel Shepard and wife Stefanie, Gretchen Dexter and husband John, Rebecca Brewer, Reva Piekarz and husband Keith, and Colleen Shepard. Twenty Great Grandchildren and Fourteen Great-Great Grandchildren.
Viola was preceded in death by her parents: Albert and Edith Bronson, her husband Marion Shepard, five sisters, one brother, three great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
Viola was a member of the Free Methodist (Foundation) Church in Centralia. In many Churches, she served in children’s Ministries. She enjoyed Quilting, Gardening, Crocheting, Sewing, and Pottery. Viola was a loving Wife, Mother, and Grandmother and was very proud of her family.
Funeral Services for Viola M. Shepard will be held Friday, October 8, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at the Centralia Free Methodist Church with Pastor Jeremy Martin officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Centralia, Illinois. A Visitation for Viola will be held Thursday, October 7, 2021, from 5:00-7:00 P.M. at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home in Centralia. Visitation also from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the Centralia Free Methodist Church on Friday. In honor of Viola, memorial donations may be made to the family and will be accepted by the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home at 235 North Sycamore Street in Centralia, Illinois 62801 (618) 532-3523, who is honored to be of service to the Shepard family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com or the Funeral Home’s Facebook page.
