Martha Waters Shepherd

Martha Conway Waters Shepherd died unexpectedly yet peacefully on Thursday, August 11, 2016 in her home. Born and raised in Lebanon, Tennessee, it was here that her intense love and devotion to Christ and family began. She was preceded in death by her father William Harrison Waters, mother Nora Puryear Waters, brothers Hugh, William Jr., and Nora Ann Waters Wright. She graduated from Peabody College for Teachers in Nashville, now part of Vanderbilt University where she met the love of her life in chemistry class, Joe Stanley Shepherd, to whom she was married for 68 years. They were married at Bethlehem Church of Christ in Tuckers Crossroads, Tennessee. During their first year of marriage, Joe finished college at Vanderbilt while Martha taught school. After 5 years in Birmingham where their first three children were born, Lone Star Steel led their family to Dallas in 1954. Her incredible gift of hospitality was evident as she regularly hosted business events alongside her husband. Martha faithfully taught Bible credit for many years to hundreds of students at Skillman Church of Christ. Her students will regularly speak of the remarkable influence she had on their life. Additionally, she worked for the Dallas Chamber of Commerce as a docent, hosting conventions. She loved her neighbors, friends, and church family with a never-ending, fierce affection, but in fact she loved everyone she met. Above all this, Martha considered raising her family in the ways of the Lord and faithfully serving her husband to be her highest calling. Her family cherished the Christmas Eve dinner and gathering she hosted every year. She is survived by her husband Joe; her four children, Martha Ann Shepherd Horan, husband Danny and children Cory (Sarah), Casey, Holly (Carter), and Colby; Joe S. Shepherd, Jr., wife Rhonda and children Brian (Tracey), Matt (Heidi), Sarah (Clayton) and Laura (Danny); Kenneth Waters Shepherd and children Audrey and Rachel (Trey), and David Barton Shepherd, wife Donna and children Sean and Rachel; and nineteen great-grandchildren who all love their Honey dearly. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the missions ministries at Skillman Church of Christ (3014 Skillman, Dallas 75206) or Waterview Church of Christ (1409 N Waterview Dr, Richardson, 75080)