Helen M Shepard

Helen M Shepard, known to many as Billie, was born March 27, 1936 in Tyler, Texas to Percy Black and Dottie B. Baker. She was preceded in death by her parents, step-mother, Mother Lois, her brother Chester Black and her Aunt and Uncle Callie Mae and Jessie Howard.

Helen was raised in Odessa, Texas and graduated from Blackshear High School, where her best friend Billie Jean says she was a stand-out basketball player and played saxophone in the band. She also enjoyed singing and playing the piano.

Helen later moved to Roswell, New Mexico before finally settling in Tucson, Arizona in 1968 with her late husband Carlton Shepard. She attended Revelation Baptist Church with her children and was employed by Montgomery Ward’s for many years until her retirement. She loved her family and enjoyed cooking for everyone especially during the holidays. She also spent much of her free time gardening and sewing but her favorite pastime was going to dollar stores and the swap meet looking for little collectables.

She is survived by her children: Darnell Black, Gary Black, Henrietta Shepard, Daphne (Mitch) Langston, Ronald (Sherrie) Shepard of San Diego, California, her grandchildren, Mack, Ahsaki (Kiki), Troy, JJ, Andre, Mitch, Matthew and Ron. She also leaves to mourn her nephew Larry (Wynette) Howard and their son Jamal of Las Vegas, Nevada, along with a host of other relatives and friends.

Although Helen departed this life on March 29, 2014 with family by her side, her memory will live on forever as she was a friend to all who knew her. You are not forgotten loved one, nor will you ever be, as long as life and memory last, we will remember thee.

Arrangements under the direction of Funeraria Del Angel South Lawn, Tucson, AZ.