Robert W. Shepherd Passes at Hospital Here
By Mrs. J.M. Wilson

It makes me very sad to think that for the first time since long before the Civil War, there is no "Mr. Shepherd" living in the "Big House" on the old plantation down in Shepherd's District in Morgan County. When the State of Georgia was being settled, the land was portioned out by the governor of the State. A tract of land this side of Big Indian Creek back this was near to the Madison-Eatonton highway was given to James Shepherd from Virginia. ..... James Shepherd used slaves to clear and work his big plantation. His son Carter Shepherd followed him and in his day, the slaves were free, but he still owned the land. He was followed by Mr. R.W. Shepherd, the father of our Robert Shepherd. Part of the plantation was sold off, but there still remains a fine place owned by him. But now the master of the plantation has gone away. His son who bears his name and his grandson who bears it also live in Florida and there is no Shepherd living on the place tonight.

Yesterday around 2 o'clock Robert Whitfield Shepherd passed from this life into another life over yonder. Robert Shepherd was born in the old Shepherd home which was burned several years ago. ....He was the oldest son of Mr. R.W. Shepherd Sr. and Mary Paige Mosley (sic) Shepherd. He was educated in the schools of the county. In his young manhood, he married a neighborhood girl, Miss Mabel Clemons, who made him a lovely helpmate. They built their house in sight of the old home, and there Mrs. Shepherd made a gracious home for her family. To them were born three children: Lucile, now Mrs. N.J. Biddy of Atlanta, Robert Whitfield, now of Miami, and Charles Baldwin Shepherd, who died several years ago. After the children were married and made homes of their own, Robert and Mabel Shepherd spent their middle age in their lovely country home, keeping it in ever readiness for the homecoming of their children. Robert Shepherd grew up in Antioch church in Godfrey. He attended services regularly from childhood till bad health kept him away. He had been a deacon there for a number of years. Robert loved country sports - bird hunting when he was young, and fox hunting when he grew older. He was never happier in these late years than talking over by-gone hunts with fellow hunters.

A few years ago Robert had a serious illness and an operation. Before he regained his strength, his wife died suddenly of a heart attack. He lost his younger son Charles, in the same way. He never recovered from these losses. 

Miss Grace Logan of Atlanta became his second wife. Mr. Shepherd's health continued to grow worse. He had trouble with his heart. His children have been never failing comforts to him. Mr. and Mrs. Biddy were with him almost every weekend. He visited in their home and they came and stayed with him here. Whitfield came as often as possible from Miami and brought "Bobbie" the only grandchild, and Mr. Shepherd's pride and joy. They were all with him at Thanksgiving. He told me how happy he was with them. Last week he had to undergo an emergency operation. On Monday he died. He had gone to join his beloved wife and son, and his brother Carter, who passed on soon after the first World War. He has missed them very much.

 

The community has lost a good citizen. He was a land mark to us older neighbors. There has always been a Shepherd in the Shepherd's district. That's how we got the name. Maybe Robert W. Shepherd, Jr., or Bobbie Shepherd III, will come back here to live and the Shepherd's will still hold the place. We hope so. Mr. Shepherd leaves three sisters, Mrs. L.H. Walker and Mrs. E.L. Walker, of Madison, and Mrs. Robert Davis, of Decatur. There are nephews and nieces, too, who will mourn his passing. They all have our sympathy. 

Funeral services for Mr. Shepherd were held Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. at Hemperley's Chapel with Rev. George Fields, Rev. Earle Stirewalt, and Rev. Ellis Sammons officiating. Interment was in the Madison Cemetery with W.C. Hemperley in charge.

Mr. J.E. Caldwell sang "Lead Kindly Light" accompanied by Miss Rena Prior at the organ.

Pallbearers were Bryan Walker, Evan Walker, Jack Jones, Dr. J.H. Nicholson, John Torbert, Neal Vason, Everette Atkinson and James Price.
 

From: The Morgan County News December 8, 1950

Linked to: www.findagrave.com/memorial/89849702