Thelma Antonia Shepard

Thelma Antonia Shepard, age 105, passed away peacefully on December 10, 2025, in Mansfield, Texas. She was born on November 24, 1920, in Beverly, Massachusetts, to Candida and Vincenzo Luzi, and was raised in Detroit, Michigan, where she graduated from Pershing High School.

In 1943, Thelma married the love of her life, Erwin Clark Shepard. Together they shared a devoted marriage and raised three children. Thelma was an extraordinary homemaker, wife, mother, and grandmother whose life was centered on faith, family, and service to others.

In her spare time, Thelma enjoyed Bible study, exercising, bowling, gardening, and spending time with family and friends. She was an avid Texas Rangers baseball fan and a loyal Dallas Mavericks basketball supporter—rarely missing a game that was televised.

Thelma will always be remembered as a kind, warm-hearted lady who offered unconditional love to everyone she met. She was a gifted encourager, always seeing the best in people and putting others before herself.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her three brothers and one sister; her beloved husband, Erwin; her granddaughter; and many dear friends.

She is survived by her three children: Bonnie Reilly, Gary Shepard (Maria), and Lydia McKibben (Tim).

She also leaves behind nine grandchildren:

Christy Myers (Archie), Amy Robbins (Steve Jessup), Ryan Shepard (Leah), Jennifer Fields (Ryan), Zachary Shepard, Tyler McKibben (Melissa), Laura Wilson (John), Brooke Adams, and Ben McKibben (Kara).

She is further survived by twenty-seven great-grandchildren:

Jacob Fielder, Aaron Fielder, Benjamin Fielder, Miles Myers, Kyle Myers, Alyson Robbins, Ella Robbins, Finn Shepard, Reece Shepard, Luke McKibben, Anna Nunn (Andrew), Jack McKibben (Nicole), Claire Mueller (Jeremy), Bailey Ordaz (Andre), Cole Kachtik, Keenan Wilson (Molly), Maddie Heazlewood (Reef), Wyatt Wilson (Erika), Emmie Wilson, Elijah Wilson, Georgia Adams, Cash Adams, Vann Adams, Saylor Adams, Satcher Adams, Lyle McKibben, and Graham McKibben.

She is also survived by ten great-great-grandchildren:

Cameron Fielder, Nora Nunn, James Nunn, Thomas Nunn, Timothy McKibben, Ellis Mueller, Penelope Ordaz, Lucia Ordaz, Walker Wilson, and Beckham Wilson—along with six more great-great-grandchildren expected in 2026.

Thelma was the best encourager and compliment-giver one could ever meet. She consistently looked for what was good and admirable in others—and always found it.

Her life reflected the words of Philippians 4:8:

“Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”