Carolyn Estelle Lowe Shephard passed away on November 28, aged 98 years, after living a long and fulfilling life. She was the youngest of six children of Dr. Lewis D. and Bessie Craig Lowe and was born in Bartow, Florida on August 14, 1921 and as a daughter of a Methodist minister moved about every four years and lived throughout the state. She was always a lively and energetic girl, made many friends and grew up in a loving family. In 1944 she graduated from Florida State College for Women with a BS degree in Social Work. She began training to be a nurse but quit after seeing the autopsy of a baby and the practice for giving injections was too much for her, and later worked briefly for the FBI in Washington, DC.
After the United States joined the Allies in World War II, she enlisted into the Women’s Army Corps November 16, 1944 and eventually gained the rank of Sergeant. She served as a Psychiatric Social Worker treating emotionally traumatized soldiers returning from the front. There she met the love of her life, a psychiatrist, Captain Juddson E. Shephard. It did not take long for them to fall in love and they were married at The Little Church Around the Corner in New York city on September 20, 1946, exactly two months after she was discharged from the Army. They moved from New York to Norristown, Pennsylvania, where Dr. Shephard accepted a position with the state mental hospital as Chief Psychiatrist. They eventually had three children. Their first, a daughter Melanie Ann, then a son Steven Judd, and later a second son, Jeffrey Judd. After a few years they moved to Columbus, Ohio. Living up north was an adjustment for the Florida girl and she was teased for her accent and unfortunately suffered migraine headaches from the cold and the snow. Nevertheless, she loved her house and family and they had a good life there. She did wish, though, that they could eventually move to Florida and enticed Judd by telling him there was no snow there, it was always warm and there were no flies! In August of 1959, the family moved to Florida after Judd talked to a psychiatrist, Dr. Roger Phillips, who was on a search committee to find a highly trained psychiatrist who could treat the sickest patients in Central Florida. Judd, being trained as a Freudian Analyst was the perfect fit and to Dr. Phillip’s delight, Judd promptly set up an office in Winter Park, with two months of appointments booked before he even opened his doors. They moved into a house in Maitland where they would live happily for the next thirty one years. Carolyn was especially pleased that her sister Frances Chace and family lived on a lake close enough for the children to ride their bikes there. Also, her parents could be frequently visited nearby in Clermont. The family was active in the Winter Park Methodist Church and she also spent time volunteering on the psychiatric ward of Florida Hospital for many years; as a Guardian ad Litem for children in the legal system of Seminole County; and as a Stephen’s Minister at First United Methodist of Winter Park. Carolyn was also one of the founders of the mental health Hot Line, “We Care” and in 1979 received the prestigious “Golden Bell” award from the Orange County Mental Health Association for her extensive service to the local mental health community.
Carolyn and Judd had many friends they enjoyed spending time with and took many trips abroad. The countries they visited included Mexico, Russia, Kenya, Israel, Turkey, Greece, Italy and many places in Europe. In 1979 they built a vacation house up on a mountain near Franklin, NC, and spent many wonderful times there with both friends and relatives. Carolyn always loved the colors of the leaves in Fall and the spectacular changing views of the valley below and ranges of mountains in the distance as seen from the deck.
For the last ten years of her life she was blessed by living with Jeff, Amy and Ashlyn Shephard, who were her devoted caregivers. This family truly showed their love and compassion for their Mom/Mimi. She retained her fabulous sense of humor and spiritual foundation to the last and was an integral part of their beloved family.
Carolyn Shephard was a lively, talkative spirit, alive in her faith, devoted to her husband as well as children and relatives. She was a nurturing mother, grandmother and great grandmother and always loved interacting with people. She was greatly loved by her family and friends who will miss her, recount stories about her and will always cherish their loving memories with her.
Carolyn is survived by her daughter Melanie Coney (Frank) living in Fairview, NC; her son Steven Shephard (Martha) living in Smithfield, VA; and son Jeffrey Shephard (Amy) living in Winter Springs, FL. She also has seven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
A Memorial service will be held Saturday, December 7th at 3pm in the Chapel of the First United Methodist Church of Winter Park located at 125 North Interlachen Ave., Winter Park, FL.
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