Maurice Sheppard

Maurice Johnson Sheppard the son of Claude Sheppard Sr. and Dollie (Thompson) Sheppard was born July 21, 1941 in Ft. Gibson, Oklahoma and fell asleep in death on May 1, 2019 at the age of 77 years, 9 months and 10 days.

Maurice grew up in Ft. Gibson and graduated in 1959 from Ft. Gibson High School. He served in the Army from 1963 -1965. He returned home and met and married Carolyn K. Tarver on August 17, 1970, to this union one baby girl was born Devon Marcia Sheppard. He then attended NSU for a year before getting a job with the City of Tahlequah. He worked for the City of Tahlequah becoming the Superintendent of the Sanitation Department in 1984 where he served until his retirement.

He dedicated his life and was baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. Maurice served as an elder in the local congregation and enjoyed traveling to other congregations throughout the state giving bible discourses and counted it a privilege to serve as part of the Baptismal Staff for the Circuit Assemblies as he assisted in baptizing many newly dedicated ones to Jehovah. Another privilege he enjoyed was his work as the Bar-B-Que King preparing and serving his smoked meats to all the volunteers at Regional Kingdom Hall Building Construction projects throughout the state.

Maurice enjoyed being outdoors especially if he was hunting, fishing or barbecuing. He loved to cook out and family gatherings meant a lot to him. He traveled the United States playing semi-professional fast pitch softball. Maurice was very generous and was always available to do anything for anybody, after his daily trip to McDonald's. He loved his family dearly, and they always came first in his life. He will be deeply missed by all who loved him as we await his return from asleep in death.

He was preceded in death by his parents; Carolyn's brothers whom he raised James Ridgeway and Roy Riggs; his sisters Mae Sheppard, Jean Jackson, Ann Sheppard, Marva Robinson, and Faye Richmond; his brothers Claude Sheppard Jr., Chester Sheppard, and Johnny Sheppard and his sisters-in-law Rachel Sheppard and Dorothy Ann Sheppard.

He is survived by a loving family which includes his wife of 48 years Carolyn Sheppard of the home; his daughter Devon Sheppard of Tahlequah; his sister Verniece Lowe and husband Isaac of Meridian, MS; Carolyn's siblings whom he raised Glenn Riggs of Tahlequah, Calvin Riggs of Tahlequah; Carlette Riggs of Tulsa; sister-in-law Patricia Sheppard of Bakersfield, CA; brother-in-law Herbert Robinson of Meridian, MS, brother-in-law Eddie Belt of Kansas City, MO and brother-in-law Garcia Tarver Jr. and wife Karen of Oklahoma City. A host of nieces, nephews, friends and other relatives also survive him.

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