Mildred Lucille Shepard

Obituary for
Mildred Lucille Shepard

Mildred Lucille Shepard, age 91, of Albia died on Tuesday, February 9, 2016 at the Monroe Care Center in Albia. She was born on December 28, 1924 to Robert and Elsie (Tedford) Patton. Mildred graduated from Albia High School in 1941. Having completed Normal Training, she taught in country schools in Monroe and Mahaska Counties. She also taught primary grades in Corydon, IA. and Williamson, IA. She later received her bachelor's degree from Drake University and taught twenty-four years in Albia elementary schools before retiring. In 1946, Mildred married Clair Taylor and they were blessed with three children, Barbara, Dean, and Gary. Mildred and Clair lived on Lake Minnetonka, MN. Before moving to a farm near Corydon, IA. She later married Sam Shepard of Albia and five step-children were added to the family, Elaine, Kenneth, Delores, Martha, and Lela.Mildred was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Albia and was very active in various church activities, including United Methodist Women, in which she held local and district offices. She was also a member of the National Education Association and Monroe County Retired Teachers' Association. She volunteered for Monroe County Hospital Auxiliary and for AARP as a Tax Aide Consultant. Mildred is survived by her daughter, Barbara (Richard) Coltrain of Albia and sons, Dean Taylor of Stockton, CA. and Gary (Susan Ashley) Taylor of Salt Lake City, UT.; grandchildren, Matthew (Cheryl) Taylor, Ashley (Jeremy) Johnston, Sarah (Michael Bell) Taylor, and Laura Taylor; great grandchildren, Benjamin Johnston, Olivia Taylor, Taylor Johnston, Karen Johnston.; brother Don (Doris) Patton of Albia; sister Mary (Richard) Harper of San Francisco, CA.; step-children, Elaine (Dean) James of Newton, IA.; Kenneth (Helen) Shepard of Albia, Delores (Ron) Mathews of Ames, IA.; Martha (Robert) Van Sickel of Albia, and Lela (Steve) Griffin of West Des Moines, IA.; fifteen step-grandchildren; and twenty-eight step-great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, brothers Harold and Charles, and sister, Helen. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 am Saturday, February 13, 2016 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Albia with Rev. Neil Montz officiating. Burial will follow services in Oak View Cemetery in Albia. Visitation will be on Friday, February 12, 2016, opening to the public at 1:00 pm and family will be present from 6-8 pm at the Sinnott Funeral Home in Albia. Memorials may be directed to Monroe Care Center or to Homestead Assisted Living of Albia. Online condolences may be left for the family at sinnottfuneralhome.com. Services entrusted with Sinnott Funeral Home of Albia..