Mary K. Shepherd

Mary Kent Shepherd, age 85, peacefully passes away February 26th. She was an Atlanta native, daughter of Laurence F. Kent and Annie Asbury Eberhart. Two years after graduating from The North Avenue Presbyterian School, (NAPS), NAPS became The Westminster Schools where her father, Laurence F. Kent, president of Moncrief Heating and Air, was a founding trustee. Mary attended Sophie Newcomb College, prior to marrying Ralph Cartledge. They had two children, Mary Anne and Ralph Joseph. Her love of bridge brought second husband, Charles Richard Shepherd, Jr. into her life. And, following a distinguished career as an actuarial consultant at Marsh & McLennan, Mary’s love of skiing and fly fishing led her to build a retirement home in Breckenridge, Colorado. She was preceded in death by brother Laurence F. Kent, Jr. and sister Eleanor Kent Law. Mary is survived by daughter Mary Anne and husband James R. Alford of Atlanta, son Joe of Pagosa Springs, Colorado, granddaughter Alex Brunhoeber and husband Austin of Nashville, TN, and grandson John Robert Alford, wife Lisa, and their three children. A family service will be held in Colorado at a later date. Condolences may be sent to Mr. and Mrs. James R. Alford, 4620-36 Wieuca Road, N.E., Atlanta, GA 30342. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Westminster Schools, 1424 West Paces Ferry Road, N.W., Atlanta, GA 30327 or to The Shepherd Center Foundation, 2020 Peachtree Road N.W., Atlanta, GA, 30309.