Peggy Lucille Shepherd

Peggy Lucille Shepherd, age 101, of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, October 2, 2025. Peggy was born on May 13, 1924 to Tom Thompson and Mae Francis Thompson. She accepted Christ at an early age and devoted her life to being a True Servant of God.

Later in life, she married Arthur Lee Shepherd, and they were blessed with ten children (three boys and seven girls), including their eldest granddaughter, Kawana “Sissy” Gamble; and over the years the family grew to include nineteen grandchildren, twenty-nine great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.  Peggy worked hard for many years, until her children encouraged her to let go and enjoy life with them and her grandchildren; and that is exactly what she did. After retiring, she spent years traveling with her family, and one of her most unforgettable trips was her first airplane ride in 2010, which she absolutely loved. At home, before her health began to decline, she enjoyed taking her daily walks, and working in her yard while tending to her flowers and red peppers. Peggy really enjoyed planting seeds in the ground and watching them grow… now she is reaping the harvest of it all.

Peggy is survived by her loving and devoted children: Mike Shepherd (Kawana, Jessica, Michael, and AJ), Dot Paden and husband, Wayne (JR and Jade), JoAnn Reynolds (Jonique and Jasmine), Jerry Shepherd and wife, Wanda (Tomika), and Kawana Gamble (Ny’Daisha “Daisy”, Coby, and Anecia); four special loving daughters, Deloris Bass (James), Deborah White (Kenny), Shawn Kunamaeng and Wanda Shepherd; nineteen grandchildren; twenty-nine great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild, Ny’Lani “Li ‘Sista”; two special sons-in-law, Joseph Dukes (Terrance “Bubba” and LaTisha) and Wayne Paden; a daughter-in-law, Bobbie W. Sheperd; one sister-in-law, Lilly Foley (James); a host of nieces and nephews; two very special, loving nieces whom she loved dearly, Jean McCray and Tiffany Jones; and another special person, Eddie Sanders (Deon), who always stopped by to see her, whenever he was in town, just to say “Hi”.

She was preceded in death by her beloved family members, husband, Arthur L. Shepherd; three children: oldest son, Steven D. Shepherd, oldest daughter, Mary E. Dukes and youngest daughter, Etta G. Phillips; her parents, Tom and Mae Francis Thompson; her siblings, Mattie Bell, May Ruth, Callie, Jack Thompson, and James Walton; as well as two “special" siblings, her youngest sister, Louise, and her youngest brother, “Man Davis” Marion Davis. 

Peggy was the last child of Tom Thompson and Mae Francis Thompson to transition and be with the Lord. Her strong faith and resilience stood as a testimony for all who knew her. She will be deeply missed by her children, grands, great-grands, great-great-grand, nieces, nephews, and extended family; her memory will continue to live on in our hearts.

She was affectionately known by her children as “Ceil” and “Momma”; by her grands as “Grandmom Ceil”; and by her great-great-grandchild as “Oma”.

WE WILL REMEMBER YOU, Ceil, Momma, Grandmom Ceil, Oma, ALWAYS & FOREVER!

Well Done My Good And Faithful Servant! You Are Truly Home Now! Rest In Peace!

Special thanks to two loving caregivers, Jackie Johnson and Leah Owens and a big thank you to Doctor Margie Kovac and Nurse Sara at VITAS Healthcare.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 11, 2025, at Beal Memorial Cemetery.