Catherine Richters Shepherd

Catherine Richters Shepherd, 98, born August 21, 1922, was reunited with her beloved husband and best friend, Jay Shepherd, when she peacefully passed away on Saturday, July 17, 2021. “Cat” and Jay were inseparable throughout their 62 years of marriage. Catherine was the only daughter of the late Maybelle Craig Richters and Charles Richters of Wilmington, NC.

Catherine received her B.A. in Education from Lenior-Rhyne College in 1943, where she met the light of her life, Jay. She was also a proud graduate of the 1939 New Hanover High School Class, where she was selected as the school’s first female commencement speaker.

Catherine brought her determination and love of teaching to Catawba County where she taught Early Childhood Education for 29 years. Particularly inspired to cultivate a love of reading in all of her students, she continued to volunteer well into her retirement with adult reading programs.

Catherine was a member of Beth Eden Lutheran Church, the Women’s Missionary Association, multiple bridge, garden and investment clubs.

The family wishes to thank all the personel at Twin Lakes Community and Authora Care Collective (Hospice) for their kind and loving care for Catherine throughout her 17 year stay in the community.

Catherine was preceded in death by her husband, Grady Jay Shepherd, Jr. She is survived by her three daughters and their families: daughter: Anne Shepherd Yancey (John) of Charleston, SC, their children, John Rockett Yancey Jr. (McCall) and their children Caroline, Claire, John of Nashville, TN, Catherine Yancey Brookes (Kevin) of Daniel Island, SC and their children Wilson and John. daughter: Susan Shepherd Skeen (Tom) of Burlington, NC, their children Jay Hunter Skeen, Ann Brooke Caraher and her children Sam and Hunter of Greensboro, NC, daughter: Leigh Shepherd French (Jim) of Camden, SC, their children Sara of SLC, Utah, Hanna of Nashville TN, Tripp of Chicago, Ill, and Joseph.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory can be made to Twin Lakes Community Healthcare and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: Wilmington Chapter.

A celebration of Catherine’s life will be held at 2pm on Sunday, July 25, 2021 at the Rich Thompson Funeral Chapel, 306 Glenwood Ave., Burlington, NC. A reception following the service from 3-5 pm will take place at the Alamance Country Club, 2402 Pineway Dr., Burlington, NC, where the family will welcome Catherine’s friends, family, and the Twin Lakes Community Staff.

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