Evangelist Geraldine Shephard was born on May 23, 1946 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama to the union of the late Marshall and Claudine Banks. She departed this life on February 3, 2021.
God had an early calling on her life; she walked with it and talked with it until her last breath. No matter where she was, she would find someone to help, feed and tell the goodness of God.
After retiring from a fulfilling career at OSU Medical Center, Geraldine wanted to continue a life of caring for others. She was employed by the Wexner Heritage Community, a job that she loved.
Geraldine had a passion for life like no other. She loved spending quality time with her family. She enjoyed fishing, being outdoors, traveling and cruising with family and friends.
Geraldine adored her family and her church family Acts of Faith Community Crusade. Alongside her husband, she worked tirelessly to make sure the church was a place where all could come as they were; but, definitely not leave the same way.
Geraldine was preceded in death by her loving soulmate of over 50 years, Bishop Walter T. Shephard and son, Fredrick Shephard.
Geraldine’s beautiful life will forever be cherished through the lives of her siblings, Eddie M. Turner, Clifford (Kathy) Banks, and Reva Banks; daughters, Chavela (Douglas) Ware and Shanequa (Byron) Poindexter; bonus daughter, Robin (Keith) Davis; grandchildren, Nyesha (Bart) Clayton, Fredrick Orr, Terone (Zaida) Shephard, Mikael Orr, Amari (Chelsea) Jones, and Breah Ware; 11 great-grandchildren; special sister-friends, Lillian Richardson and Elder Patricia Kendrick; and a host of family, friends, spiritual sons and daughters.
Evangelist Geraldine Shephard will be truly missed as she touched so many lives. One of her favorite scriptures was John 3:16; For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. Her wishes would be that we continue to walk and talk with Jesus every day and to live a life pleasing to Him. One could always count on a correction out of love from Ma Shep!
Public Visitation 9:00 AM and Private Family Funeral Service (tickets required)10:00 AM Saturday, February 13, 2021 at Mt. Nebo Baptist Church, 2100 Aberdeen Ave.
Masks and Social Distancing are required.
Interment at Eastlawn Cemetery.
Click to View Program
Remembering the family in heartfelt prayers.
May the God of all comfort help to ease the pain of your grief.
Truly sorry for your loss.
The Gunn Family,
Remember all the good times and the moments you shared. Remember that Mom is now in God’s care.
The God of all comfort and understanding will indeed comfort your hearts and minds.
With sincere condolences, you all are in my prayers
My sincere condolences to the Shepard family , May God give you all comfort and strength to make it through this difficult time.
Love
Pam Brisco-Harper
We are truly shaken and heartbroken by the passing of our dear friend Evangelist Geraldine Shephard. Our prayers are with the entire family during this difficult time. Truly our loss is heaven’s gain, Her love for God and ALL of God’s children from every walk of life was contagious. She had such a zealous spirit when it came to sharing the love of the Lord with others. Her physical presence will truly be missed by all who knew her. I thank God for the cherished memories of our dear Evangelist (Ma Shephard) that will be forever present in our hearts. Her family will forever be our family! Love you all.
Remembering with love my dear friend, Geraldine Shephard. Although I feel a great sense of loss by her passing, I am yet overjoyed by the wealth of memories I have of her, our travels and great cruise vacations, the parties, girl friend talks and on and on and on. The spiritual insight and guidance she shared so freely. She was a one of a kind classic in every way. I am eternally grateful for our friendship and the Blessings of love you shared. Praying prayers of comfort for the children/grandchildren forever In Our
Many prayers and blessings to the Shepard family at this time.
In Times of Sorrow
May you see God’s light on the path ahead
When the road you walk is dark.
May you always hear,
Even in your hour of sorrow,
The gentle singing of the lark.
When times are hard may hardness
Never turn your heart to stone,
May you always remember
when the shadows fall,
You do not walk alone.
– Author Unknown
My sincere prayers are with the Shepherd family. Sorry for your loss. May the Lord continue to keep his loving arms around you in this time of sorrow. Geraldine will truly be missed.
Praying for you in your loss. Asking God to unfold you in His faithful love and comfort you with cherished memories you hold dear
On behalf of the Hampston Family, we offer our deepest sympathy to the entire Shephard family. Weeping May Endure for a Night, But JOY Comes in the Morning. We love you all.
To Byron and Nikki Poindexter and family,
Please accept our sincerest condolences during this difficult time. Know that we love you both and are only a few steps away to provide anything you need.
Mr. & Mrs. Antwone E. White
My condolences to the family. I pray for God’s comfort, peace and strength during this time.
Nikki,
So sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. May you find comfort in your fondest memories.
Nikki,
You and your family have my sincerest condolences. God’s blessing to you all
Nikki & Freddie,
Sorry to hear about the loss of your Mother & Grandmother. My Prayers are with you and your Family, continue to hold on to God and His Promises , May God Bless your Family.
Our Sincere Prayers, and, Condolences, goes out to Geraldine Shepherd’s Family. May God continue to Bless you, and, Strengthen you, and, supply you with all of your Needs. Gracious Love.
I’m so sorry to hear this! My condolences are with you both Cha Cha and Nikki! Prayers to the entire family.
To my Ohio family,
We love you and we are praying for you all during this difficult time. Our prayer is that God comforts you as only He can. ❤️
God will put people in your life, unbeknown to you that person will help in your spiritual growth (thanks Mrs. Shephard). Mrs. Shephard would leave me with a gem of information during her appointment, information needed for my kingdom growth. GOD knew it was what I needed and I am forever grateful. I will never forget her kindness, loving, nurturing, caring heart and God fearing spirit.
My condolences to the Shephard Family, as you struggle through this difficult time I know God will give you all the strength to endure and he will comfort you. I will continue to pray for the family. If the family needs me for anything, I’m available. Love you all
My condolences go out to my Shepard family whom I loved most of my life. Mama Shepard was like a second mom to me and was always so loving and caring. Her spirit was Godly and beautiful, and will truly be missed! Rest in heaven Mama Shepard.
Nikki,
I am so, so sorry for your loss. To you, Cha and the rest of your family please accept my most sincere condolences and please know I will be praying for your strength and comfort. Love you.
We offer our deepest sympathy and condolences to the Shephard family. We will be forever grateful for the love and all that Evangelist Shephard instilled in our family. Truly she gave unconditionally in love as well as in deeds. We have been empowered by her teachings and fostered by her caring spirit. We extend our love to the family as you are in our thoughts and prayers!
To my Friend Forever You will truly be missed ❤️❤️We had A long life together laughs cries fussing in love but never fail out because that’s the kind of Love we had for one another God put us together for 55 years to be friends and Family! But he wanted his angel to be with him❤️Your life was such an example of Christ Loved All People RIP❤️See you one day Love You Girl ❤️❤️❤️❤️
I met Geraldine when we were working at Shalom House. We became friends from the first day. When I was around Geraldine I always feel like a better person. Geraldine taught me so much about Jesus and the love of giving and acceptance. There will never be another person like her. Thank you Geraldine for being my friend, I will always love you and cherish our memories.RIP sweet lady.
My deepest sympathy to the family.
May God’s love keep you.
You’re in my prayers.
Love you
Rose Walton
Cha Cha and Nikki, please accept my sincere condolences, your mother my beloved will always have a place in my heart! She was full of so much love and wisdom and we shared so many special times together..I will continue to pray that God will comfort you, give you strength and a peace that passes all understanding…Love You!
Our condolence goes out to the family of Geraldine. She will always be remembered by my family as a loving, caring and Spirit filled woman. It was a pleasure to have been in her presence.
To the Shepard Family
This is a big chocker to me I know life isn’t promised for ever but this here we did night school together had children together before they received Christ we traveled yearly to the Cincinnati jazz festival Tell Shep & Leroy hello for me wow I’m just speechless I will continue to keep you all lifted up in Prayer
Our Heartfelt Condolences
CarenCollins &Family
Our Condolences To The Family of Evangelist Geraldine Shepherd
We thank God for the time that we shared with Geraldine. We will remember all the times we spent together in church. She was truly a Woman of God and served as a devoted servant. We will miss her greatly. Rest on my Sister and we will see you in the morning. Love Always,
Extending condolences to the Shepard family.
May God give you the strength to endure during this trying time.
My dear cousin you will be greatly missed.
Love,
LeaRoss Fuller Harness
To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.My dear sis I will truly miss our times together, there will always be a void in our lives with you gone.Each day without you being a call away saddens me so bad,fly high my evangelist bc surely we will meet again.
Cha, Nikki, Robin and the rest of the Shepherd family, my deepest heartfelt condolences. Momma Shepherd is one of kind lady, who will truly be missed. Her warm, nuturing heart, her selfless heart and her classy ways will always be with me. I pray for your comfort and peace during this difficult time. I love you all! Look to the Lord, for that’s where your strength cometh from. I’m always here for you guys ❤️.
I’m truly going miss you Mother Shepard, my prayers go out the family.
I will always admire her energy and outgoing ways.
Love Always,
Debra L. Poindexter
I am so very sorry your loss. Geraldine was a caregiver for my daughter Sarah. She was amazing, so loving and a very hard worker. You could tell that she cared deeply for my daughter. We will miss her so very much.
To the family of Geraldine Shepherd, you have my deepest condolences of such a beautiful lady we worked together @ OSU blessing to the family earth has no sorrow that heaven can not heal grace and peace sis Betty wade.
To the Shepherd Family,
Our sympathy, condolences, prayers and love to The Family of Evangelist Geraldine Shepherd.
We thank God for the time He lended her to us, all the way from Tuscloosa, Alabama to Columbus Ohio. We will remember all the times we spent together in and out of church.
Geraldine was truly a Woman of God and served as a devoted servant. She was one of God’s chosen angels that helped to met the needs of His people. She was a true woman of God and lived out God’s word. We will miss her greatly. Rest on our Sister and we will see you in the morning.
Love Forever,
Benny & Betty
Dear family i am so sorry to here of the passing of my friend my sister and my sister in Christ.
To my Family my heart was saddened by the lost of your mom a sweet and gentle spirit that we Knew as (Cooney) I sat back and thought of y’all the good old days when you all use to come to Chicago what a joy but my most recent moment when you all came to my moms funeral she was still the same when she talk to me sweet and gentle spirit I love y’all keep your head to the sky(Love y’all Cuzzin Susie and Family)
My sincere condolences to the Family of Geraldine Shepherd for your loss and May God Bless you and comfort you during this very difficult time.
God Bless You All
An extraordinary woman of the most High God!
May you all find peace and comfort knowing she is rejoicing in HIS presence. May the God of all comfort provide everything needed during this time of grief.
She was one of the sweetest lady I knew, besides my own mother. No one ever came Close to treating me like my mother would do for others. One summer I got the chance to live with them for the summer. I felted loved , needed, and necessary. I loved being there with them, one on has every made me feel safe except on parents.
Thank you for the love. And I will aways Be Your Little Teapot Rest In Peace
I was “grown” 19 going on 25, running away from home, my first encounter was Dad Shephard, He said you can stay but you better talk to mom. I waited on the steps for mom to come home, I said mom my mom still telling me what to do and I’m moving out. Mom, said you can stay and you Better call your mom so she don’t worry, she knew the plan and wasn’t having it, under no circumstances was she going to let me have my mother wondering and worring about my whereabouts.After the lecture and her consent, her words were “& You still ain’t Grown ” She was “That Mom,” friend and confidante. My favorite Quote: “It might not be the right way but it’s my way” But we knew it was right, because she said it!
Love You Cha , Love you Snick!
To the Family of Geraldine Shepard
Weeping may endure for a night but Joy will come in the morning we want you to know that we are just a prayer away and know that God sees yours tears and He is a rewarder to them who diligently seek Him.I pray that God will give you peace that surpasses all understanding
Family,
We were saddened to hear that our beloved Cousin Coonie had gained her wings, but will be forever thankful for all the great and pleasant memories we shared throughout the years with her. Cousin Coonie was such a vibrant spirit that touched people lives in a positive way and will be missed in the physical form but lives on in our spiritual realm. Cha and Nikki you’re surrounded by love and we’re here to support and uplift you during this time.
Love: Fionn, Angie, FaNai, Falon & Aunt Betty
My Condolences to the Shepherd Family Geraldine was a Classy Lady l will always remember her in my heart Cha Cha and Nikki your Mother Dear a Class Act .
My condolences to her family, she was sure a wonderful person and had beautiful Spirit. Love to be around her alway had kind words.
Peace, & joy, to You all, Family.
I, dearly, Love Mother Shephard, & I cherish the, sweet, memories that I have of her.
Mother Shephard, always, made me feel, so, good!
She’s the epitome of a Southern Belle.
Shanequa, Amari, & Cha Cha, I Love Y’all!
Much Love to the, whole, family.
Shalom
To The Shepherd Family:
Sending heartfelt condolences from miles away. Evangelist Mother Shepherd was admired for her caring nature, kindness and love for everyone she meet. Her smile was contagious and she will be missed greatly, she instilled in everyone she came in contact with a LOVE for GOD and for that we are truly honored to have been a part of her life. She will be with us all always first in lifetime, and then forever in our memories. May God continue to keep your family uplifted.
Peace and Love,
Kent and Heady Brown
So very honored to have been apart of the Shephard family. Will miss Geraldine and may she RIP always.
My heartfelt condolences go out to my Shephard family. My prayer is that God gives each one of you the strength and comfort that you need to get through this day and beyond. Love you all
Rest peacefully in the bosoms of Abraham Momma G
I am deeply saddened at the loss of Aunt Geraldine. I will treasure my wonderful childhood memories for the rest of my life. May God provide comfort and strength.
My condolences to her family and friends during this time.she was a wonderful person and had beautiful Spirit. Love to be around her alway had kind words.
My condolences to the family of evangelist Geraldine Shepard. I loved her with all my heart. She will be truly missed.
I love you Acts Of Faith
Sending love and our condolences to the Shephard Family we love you! Mother Shephard will sure be missed by many. She was a true example of being a great person reaching out touching the homeless building ministries. Although she no longer here we thank God for this vessel of Christ May God Loving hand of Grace Mercy and Peace keep you. Job well Done Evangelist Geraldine Shephard ️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️
I know Mrs Shephard at work. She took me as part of her family; she never discriminated against me because I was an African. Oh my God, your death is really affecting me, but I console myself knowing that you went home to your creator. My sincere condolences to her family.
To the Shepherd family, please know that you are in my prayers that God will give strength to each of you in loss of this lovely woman. May the love she gave to each of you hold her forever near in your hearts.
My condolences go out to my Shepard family whom I loved most of my life. Mama Shepard was like a second mom to me and was always so loving and caring. Her spirit was Godly and beautiful, and will truly be missed! Rest in heaven Mama Shepard.