Committal
The Reverend Doctor Bob D. Shepherd of Morganton, NC, passed away at the age of 93 on Sunday, April 30, 2023, after a short illness. He was lovingly surrounded by his wife of 71 years, his 4 children and a son-in-law.
Bob felt called to church ministry in 1955 and lived each day serving God and spreading God's word. He loved serving at each of his pastorates which included Bullock Baptist Church in Granville County, NC, First Baptist Church in Mooresville, NC, First Baptist Church in Sanford, NC, and First Baptist Church in Morganton, NC. After his retirement in 1994, he served as Interim Pastor at 14 other churches. Also, during his work life, he served as Vice President for Advancement at Gardner Webb University.
His contributions to the communities in which he lived were numerous. He served 3 terms as Chairman of the General Board of the Baptist State Convention and also Chairman of the Executive Committee. He served 8 years as Trustee at
Wake Forest University, including special committees serving Wake Forest University Baptist Hospital, Wake Athletics and the formation of the Wake Forest School of Divinity. He also served 8 years as Trustee at Gardner Webb University. In 1994, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Gardner Webb University and in 1998 the Bob D. Shepherd Chair of Biblical Studies was established in the GWU School of Divinity. Bob was also especially proud of being named a Paul Harris Fellow and of his 60-year Rotary Club membership.
Bob was preceded in death by his father and mother, Jesse Talmadge Shepherd and Mamie Tickle Shepherd and his five siblings.
He leaves behind his wife, Dolores Vinson Shepherd; daughter, Karen Johnson (Ray) of Morganton; son, B. Dale Shepherd, Jr (Gayemell) of Seven Lakes NC; daughter, Vicki Morgan (Michael) of Chapel Hill NC; son, Noel Shepherd of Winston Salem NC; 6 grandchildren; and 6 great grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 12:30 to 2 p.m., Saturday, May 20, 2023 in the parlor of First Baptist Church. A celebration of life will follow at 2 p.m. in the church with Dr. Thomas A. Bland, Jr. officiating.
In lieu of flowers, you are invited to send memorial donations to First Baptist Church in Morganton or to Gardner Webb University School of Divinity for the Bob D. Shepherd Chair.
The family wishes to express appreciation to Dr. Martin Gessner, Dr. Walter Pearcy, and the wonderful staff at Amorem Hospice in Valdese, NC.
Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.
Tribute Wall
Leave a tribute for Rev. Dr. Bob D. Shepherd.
I will miss Uncle Bob, but I know heaven is an even better place because he now resides there. Uncle Bob always impressed me with his positive, cheerful personality. He always had a smile on his face and often could be heard singing as he interacted with family and friends. As a young person and later as a young pastor, Uncle Bob always made time to give wise counsel on subjects in which I was interested or needed additional information. I wanted to invite Uncle Bob to come to one of my churches and conduct a revival. I appreciated him so much for finding time in his busy schedule to come conduct those services for me and my church family. What a special week that was! I respected him as a Christian husband and father, and he became a role model for my life. Uncle Bob was faithful to God, and God blessed him with a long, fruit bearing life. I have so many fond memories of Bob, Dolores and their children. Like them, my heart feels sadness for his loss, but great joy for having known him and loved him.
I'm sorry to hear of Bob's passing. He was always a bright light wherever he went. Among other things Bob was minister at First Baptist Church in Mooresville during the time that I was a student at Davidson College. After college I attended a wedding of a classmate in Mooresville and there was cousin Bob was presiding over the ceremony.
He was the best!!!
Christ is risen! There are no words to express how much Pastor Shepherd meant to me and to my family. Overshadowing the sorrow over his passing is the joy of knowing that he was able to go home during the season of Easter, and that our risen Lord will one day bring us all together again. May his memory be eternal among the saints. Frank M. Dale, Jr.
I have such fond memories of the entire Shepherd family from their days at First Baptist Church in Sanford during my and my siblings’ youth group years. I will never forget nor be able to adequately express my appreciation to Rev. Shepherd for his dear words, thoughtfulness and kindnesses to myself and my family on the day that my mother died almost 43 years ago and in the following months. He was an angel among us then and is an angel with our Lord now. Well done, good and faithful servant. Our love and prayers are with you all. Sincerely, Gaye Pickard Galyon, Greensboro, NC
Bob Shepherd put the twinkle in all the little stars when I taught at First Baptist Weekday Preschool. He greeted every teacher with a smile and a hug to pass along to our precious children. Bob loved our preschool, was a consummate encourager and always full of laughter that was contagious and so welcomed. He touched the lives and hearts of many and I loved him dearly. Rest in peace, my friend.
Roger and Sharon Jackson have very fond memories of the “good shepherd.”. Our thoughts and prayers are with Delores and their family. Bob will be greatly missed by all his many friends.