Frances Atkins Sheppard

Frances Atkins Sheppard, 91 of Monroe, N.C., passed away on February 2, 2025. She was born in Patrick County, Va. on September 10, 1933, to the late Ruben E. Atkins and Ollie Baliles Atkins. She was preceded in death by her husband Isaac Lester Sheppard, her brother James Edwin Atkins, and brother-in-law Wayne Robert Simmons. She was a lifelong member of the Smith River Church of the Brethren. She worked as the manager of Reed’s 5 & 10 in Stuart, Virginia for many years.

Mrs. Sheppard is survived by one daughter, Donna Nickel (David) of Mineral Springs, N.C., one son, Steve Sheppard (Mattie) of Pawleys Island, S.C., four grandchildren Dan Nickel (Melody) of Indian Trail, N.C., Susan Nickel Wilson (Casey) of Locust, N.C, Megan Sheppard Price (Garrett) of Boone, N.C., A.J. Hice (Martha) of Raleigh, N.C., and seven great-grandchildren Grant, Ella, and Richie Nickel, Micah Wilson, Hazel Price and Groves and Graham Hice. Mrs. Sheppard is also survived by two sisters, Louise Simmons of Stuart, Va., Donella Inman (Thomas) of Colfax, N.C., and sister-in-law Edna Mae Wood Atkins of Ridgeway, Va.

A private graveside service will be held at Patrick Memorial Gardens in Stuart, Va. Memorial donations may be made to Smith River Church of the Brethren, 2282 Bob White Road, Stuart, VA 24171, or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Moody Funeral Home in Stuart has been entrusted with the arrangements and online condolences may be sent by visiting www.moodyfuneralservices.com.