Brenda Shepherd, of Christiansburg, formerly of Martinsville, went peacefully to meet her Savior on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017 at Montgomery Regional Hospital in Blacksburg while surrounded by her children and grandchildren.
She was born on March 14, 1944 to her parents John Harvey Akers and Mabel Pruitt Akers, who are deceased. She was united in marriage to Gilbert Ray “Butch” Shepherd and enjoyed 35 years with the man that was her true love.
Brenda is survived by her two “girls” and their spouses, Kathy and Jason Dove of Collinsville and Tammy and Tony Baldwin-Boboli of Blacksburg. She also left behind her four grandchildren, whom she affectionately called her babies: Blake Baldwin and his wife Jenna, Dylan Hubbard, Brooke Kiser and her husband David, and Ashley Hubbard.
She also left behind three siblings, Gary Akers and his wife Betty, Gordon Akers and his wife Connie, and Jeanie Keen and her husband Oadie.
Brenda had an unwavering faith in God and shared that with everyone around her. Over the years, possessing a servant’s heart she poured her soul into loving others and humbly giving herself. Volunteering and cooking were just a few ways that she shared her love and joy. Full of laughter and life, all those who knew her could share sweet stories of how she made them smile. Brenda loved dogs like she loved people, as she owned, rescued and gave many of them a forever home.
The funeral service was held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 24 at The Bridge Christian Foursquare located at 900 Life Drive in Christiansburg. McCoy Funeral Home in Blacksburg will be handling all of the arrangements.
A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held at Christ’s Church located at 1425 Spruce Street Extension in Martinsville. This service will take place at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28.
In lieu of flowers, Brenda requested that memorial donations be sent to the Pregnancy Care Center of MHC, 314 Fairy St., Martinsville, VA 24112. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the doctors and nurses at Montgomery Regional Hospital who cared for both Brenda and our family. Their love and support was phenomenal.
