Joyce Welker Sheppard

Joyce Welker Sheppard, age 92, passed away peacefully on March 4, 2025 at her home in New Bern, NC. She was born November 11, 1932 in Dickson County, TN to the late J.W. and Gertie Shelton Welker. She is preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, George Sheppard; and Thomas Harper, whom she married later in life. Also preceded in death by her two brothers, C.B. Welker of Dayton, OH and Bill Welker of Clarksville, TN 

She is survived by her only child, Sandra Ford Scott (Ed) of New Bern, NC; 3 grandchildren: Averi Kempf (Michael) of New Bern, NC, Jeffrey Ford (Emilie) of Nashville, TN, and Jere Ford of San Diego, CA; 3 great grandchildren: Sheppard Kempf, Molly Kempf, and Juniper Ford; sister, Nora Ann Thomas (Tommy) of Pine Mountain, GA; and many nieces and nephews. 

Joyce was a long time member of Hilldale Church of Christ in Clarksville and more recently Spring Hill Church of Christ in Spring Hill, TN 

She was retired from Jostens in Clarksville. She loved gardening and sharing her garden harvest with friends and neighbors. Joyce moved to New Bern, NC in 2020 to live with daughter, Sandra and continued gardening there. She cherished the moments spent with her family and friends, creating lasting memories that will be treasured by all who knew her.

A Celebration of Life service for Joyce will be at Sykes Funeral Home on Friday, March 14, 2025 at 1:30PM with her grandson, Pastor Jeffrey Ford, officiating. Burial will follow at Resthaven Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 11:30AM until the time of service. 

Please visit Joyce's online guestbook at www.sykesfuneralhome.com and share a memory with the family.