Jay Dee William Shepherd

Franklin, NC - Jay Dee William Shepherd, age 79, of Shepherd Drive, Franklin, NC passed away Thursday, November 11, 2010 at an Asheville Hospital. He was a native of Macon County, the son of the late Will and Icey Thomas Shepherd. He was married to Helen Jane Diehl Shepherd who passed away June 27, 1994. He was a US Army Veteran, serving during the Korean War and was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Canton. He was a loving father and grandfather. He was owner of Jays Consruction. He was Macon County Commissioner from 2002-2006. He was a member of Mountain Eagle Masonic Lodge #359 and Franklin Star Chapter 523B OES. He was a former Boy Scout Master, and was very involved in community affairs and MPP. He was the first Black Vice-Chairman of the Macon Democrat Party.

He is survived by his daughter, Rev. Cynseria Jenkins and husband Rev. Billy of Cornelia, GA, two sons, James Darnell Shepherd and wife Lisa of Franklin, NC and Charles Stewart and wife Barbara of Miami, FL; one sister Mattie Bourne and husband Theophelus of Rockford, IL, a brother, Joseph Shepherd and wife DeArmold of Rockford, IL; two grandchildren, Ashley Jenkins and Adrienne Jenkins, and a host of nieces and nephews also survive.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, November 17th at 11:00am at First United Methodist Church, with Rev. Charles Lee officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. Franklin VFW Post #7339 and the American Legion Post #108 will conduct military graveside rites. Pallbearers will be Tony Cook, Edward Washington, and Boyd Hall. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, Tuesday, November 16th at Bryant-Grant Funeral Home. Mountain Eagle Masonic Lodge #359 will conduct Masonic rites Tuesday evening following visitation. Memorials may be made to a Charity of One’s Choice.

Bryant-Grant Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences are available by visiting bryantgrantfuneralhome.com or by email.