Laura Kay Shepherd

Laura Kay Shepherd of Longmont passed away July 23, 2016 at Medical Center of the Rockies. She was 30 years old.Laura was born July 22, 1986 in Longmont, Colorado to Paul Shepherd and Linda Evans Shepherd. Her life changed when she was injured in a car accident when she was only 18 months old. Laura spent a year in coma until the moment she first held her newborn baby brother and awoke. The fact that Laura had serious disabilities resulting from her injuries was of no matter to her family who saw her purpose was to love and to be loved. Her mother was fond of saying, So? Who d sn't have a little brain damage?Laura had many interests. She loved to read books like Nancy Drew and Narnia and was a huge fan of the children's radio drama Adventures in Odyssey. She loved the Broncos and learning about everything from how chocolate is made to the lives of important women in history. She wrote to and was the proud sponsor of three kids through her favorite charity, Compassion International. She attended Hygiene and Mountain View Elementary. Her fellow students flocked to her and loved helping her. Laura became a homebound student and worked with her beloved teacher Betty Murch who continued to work with her weekly even following Laura's graduation from Longmont High School in 2007.The thing that was the most remarkable about Laura was her love and joy. This was duly noted when Laura's story appeared on the front page of the Longmont Times Call, the Daily Camera and the Rocky Mountain News, and also various Denver TV stations as she stood up for the value of the lives of the disabled.But the thing that was most precious about Laura was her faith in Jesus Christ. After she emerged from coma when she was a toddler, she joyfully expressed how she had met Jesus in heaven while her body slept.Laura so enjoyed her 30th birthday in the Medical Center of the Rockies where she was recovering from an illness. Her loved ones had gathered to celebrate not knowing they were saying goodbye.That afternoon, Laura's fragile body was rocked by sepsis. As the end grew near, peace filled her precious face. Her mother told her it was time to go back to Jesus who couldn't wait to see her again and that her Paw Paw Evans was so excited that she was coming home to heaven. She smiled and she was in the arms of her Lord.Laura is survived by her parents, Paul and Linda Shepherd, her brother Jim Shepherd, her grandfather Jimmy George Shepherd, her uncle Seth Shepherd and aunt Sharon Shepherd, her grandmother Verna Evans, her Aunt and Uncle, Mary and Jimmy Evans, and her cousins, Sarah Shepherd, Nate Shepherd, J.T. Evans, and Elizabeth Evans. She is preceded in death by her grandmother Dorothy Shepherd and her grandfather James L. Evans. Laura was also surrounded by loving caregivers, teachers and therapists, many who worked with her for over two decades, including, Sharon Williams, who cared for her over 27 years and Pam Hyink who worked with her for 28 years.It was Laura's wish that everyone know that God loves them. She was the inspiration behind the website: GodTest.com which has introduced over 300,000 people to Jesus.The family wishes to express that Laura was who she was because the world needed someone extraordinary like her. They also want to thank her extraordinary team and friends for helping their daughter to shine bright. Our lives are forever changed because you were there.Visitation 5-7pm Sun. July 31, at Ahlberg Funeral Chapel. Funeral Service 1:30pm Mon. August 1, at Grace Evangelical Free Church with reception to follow.In lieu of flowers you can donate to Compassion International in Laura's name by calling (800) 336-7676 or by visiting CompassionInternational.com. Visit www.ahlbergfuneralchapel.com to share condolences.