Elgie G. Mr. Sheppard

Mr. Elgie Gardner Sheppard, 86, of Lilesville, NC, left to be with our Lord on Thursday, October 15, 2015, at the Union County Hospice House. Funeral services will be 2:00PM Sunday at Forestville United Methodist Church with Rev. Kaye Fry officiating. Interment will follow in the Hopewell United Methodist Church Cemetery, Peachland, NC. The family will greet friends at Leavitt Funeral Home on Saturday from 5:00 to 7:00PM and again on Sunday in the Hopewell UMC Fellowship Hall following interment. Elgie was born June 17, 1929, the oldest son of S.G. and Flonnie Taylor Sheppard. He grew up in the Burnsville community and graduated from Burnsville High School before moving to Lilesville, NC. Using his experience in forestry, Elgie went to work with International Paper Co. in Lilesville. He later started a chainsaw and small engine repair shop in Lilesville appropriately named Sheppard Stihl Sales and Service. Elgie was recognized numerous years for being the outstanding Stihl dealer in the state of North Carolina. Elgie retired after operating the shop after fifty years! Elgie served faithfully as a trustee at Forestville UMC. He enjoyed working on many church projects especially Ingathering. Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Jean Austin Sheppard of the home; a daughter, Vickie (Sam) Pesce of Peachland; a son, Norris (Debbie) Sheppard of Peachland; five grandchildren, David Pesce, Kristie McCollum, Trent (Kelly) Sheppard, Tyler Sheppard, and Mirandi (Tyler) Chewning; five great-grandchildren, Brianna McCollum, Genna McCollum, Aiden Sheppard, John Carter Chewning, and Lyla Lee Chewning; and his beloved miniature poodle, 'Jo-Jo.' Also surviving is his brother, Dewey (Ruby) Sheppard of Lilesville. Elgie was preceded in death by a brother, Bobby Sheppard and a sister-in-law, Jan Sheppard. Memorials may be made to Hopewell UMC, c/o Susie McSwain, 424 Pork Rd., Peachland, NC 28133 or to Forestville UMC, c/o Debra Moss, 133 Forest Rd., Lilesville, NC 28091.