Thelma Shepherd

Thelma Shepherd was born in Byhalia, Mississippi on January 1, 1929 to the late Thomas Jefferson Thompson and Lydia Clayton Thompson and transitioned to Heaven on November 8, 2019. She married Richard H. Shepherd on December 16, 1946 and from that union had two sons, Phillip and Richard, Jr. 

Educated in the Cleveland Public School System, she graduated from Central High School in 1946. After graduation, she worked at local pharmacies, hospitals, and the United States Postal Service (retiring from her position as a Postal Clerk). After retiring, Thelma provided volunteer support to Euclid General Hospital where she worked with the clerical staff. 

Thelma was totally dedicated to her children and her immediate family. It was evident that she did everything she possible could to ensure that both her sons had every opportunity to thrive and pursue their dreams. However, she was a very strict disciplinarian that had absolutely no time for nonsense, misrepresentations, or excuses for not doing what was expected. She was the rock of the family and could always be counted on in any situation.  

Thelma was a quick-witted word-smith always ready with some kind of whimsical remark or statement that would have you in stitches. She loved playing any type of word game like Cross Word Puzzles, Word Scramble, Word Search and she was the Undisputed Queen of the Scrabble Board. It was sometimes rumored that reading the Dictionary was her favorite pastime. An avid walker, Thelma was often seen briskly walking through the streets of Cleveland at the rate of 6-7 miles per day well into her eighties.

She leaves to celebrate and cherish her life: her sons, Phillip (Letha) Shepherd and Richard (Betty) Shepherd, Jr. Her brothers, Lawrence Thompson and Leroy (Barbara) Thompson. Her sister, Shirlene (Fred) Collier.   Her grandchildren, Keisha Shepherd, William (Carmen) Shepherd, Angela Pope, Hasan Shaheed, Darryl Smith, Andrea Jackson, and Leslie Roseboro. Eight great-grandchildren, five great-great -grandchildren, and a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews. 

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