Cornelia Speas Shepherd

Cornelia Speas Shepherd Beloved Wife, Mother and Grandmother Cornelia Speas Shepherd, 91, of Harwich, Massachusetts passed away at Rosewood Manor on March 21st, with her son and daughter by her side. She was the wife of the late John H. Shepherd Jr. of Durham who passed away in 1964. Mrs. Shepherd was born in Boonville, North Carolina. She was the youngest of the four children of Ethel Burch Speas and J. Marion Speas. Her sisters, Margaret Hobbs and Ruth Coram, and her brother Jude Speas, all passed away before her. Neal was a graduate of Boonville High School where she played on a championship basketball team and developed her life-long love of basketball. She went on to play basketball at Appalachian State Uneersity. She was a loyal fan of ACC basketball and followed many other sports with great interest. Mrs. Shepherd worked closely with her husband in their public accounting business. After his death, she continued to manee the business until her retirement at the age of 75. Neal was known for her tremendous love of family and her faithful care and support of loved ones during challenging times. She always loved to travel aneespecially enjoyed trips to visit her son, daughter, grandchildren and great grandchildren. After she retired, Neal moved to Cape Cod to live close to her daughter's family. She is survived by her two children: John H. Shepherd III and his wife Glenda of Houston, Texas and her daughter Marioneeeks and her husband nee of Yarmouthport, MA. She is also survived by four grandchildren: Lauren Muskiet and her husband Blake; Daniel Shepherd and his wife Brandy; James Shepherd; and Kate Weeks. She has three great grandchildren: Garrett and Brooke Shepherd, aneethan Muskiet. Lauren and Blake Muskiet are expecting a fourth great grandchild later this year. Neal felt fortunee to have very close relationships with her nieces and nephew: Barbara Burke, Judy Hamilton and Jerry Coram. She felt blessed to have the deep and loyal friendship of her "second daughter" Nancy Lockamy and her husband Bobby. Mrs. Shepherd was a life-long member of Temple Baptist Church. Arrangements are being made through Hall-Wynne Funeral Home. Friends may visit the family at Hall-Wynne Tuesday evening, March 25th, between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. A private graveside service is scheduled at the Shepherd family cemetery in Durham with the Reverend Norman Harris officiating. Pallbearers will be Dan Shepherd, James Shepherd, Jerry Coram, nee Weeks, Bruce Knott, and Bobby Lockamy. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601-7633