Helen Shepherd

Helen Shepherd, 87, went to her heavenly home on August 23, 2021. She was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on September 18, 1933. She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Elizabeth Mitchell, and her husband of 46 years, James Shepherd. 

She is survived by her son, Wayne Shepherd; daughters, Teresa Hayes (Tom) and Jennifer Monroe; grandchildren, Joyce Moore (Mike), Tommy Hayes (Cheyenne), and Jennifer Shepherd; great-grandchildren, Hunter and Autumn Moore, Isaac Carriker, Colby Shepherd, Bella Lumbreras, Emma, Ethan, and Zoe Hayes.

She grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she graduated from Hallahan Catholic High School in 1951. Helen began her lifelong career in banking in Philadelphia. 

While having her car serviced, she met the love of her life, Jim. They married in Miami, Florida, on June 29, 1963. Following their honeymoon, they packed their bags and headed to southern California. She fell in love with the beach and spent every weekend there with her family. They enjoyed many trips to Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, and the mountains. These frequent trips cultivated her life-long love of travel. Helen and Jim celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary with a cruise to the Caribbean, enjoyed trips to Canada, Mexico, Europe, and all corners of the United States.

After years living in California, they moved to Joplin, Missouri, where they lived for eight years, followed by 14 years in Wichita, Kansas. Their love of Missouri drew them back to Joplin, where they spent their retirement.

After retirement, Helen and Jim loved taking trips with their grandchildren, and traveling in their RV with Auggie Doggy.

After losing Jim in 2009, and her Joplin home in the 2011 tornado, Helen moved to Nixa, where she loved life with her son, Wayne, and grandson, Colby.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, August 28, 2021, 11:00 a.m., at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery, 415 N. St Louis, Joplin, Missouri.