Erma Shepherd

Mrs. Erma Lee Eldreth Shepherd, 73, of Statesville, passed away peacefully with her husband by her side on Monday, September 9, 2013, at Iredell Memorial Hospital. Mrs. Shepherd was born March 22, 1940 in Ashe County and was the daughter of the late Vance Eldreth and Lessie Ham Eldreth. She was a graduate of Ashe County schools and on April 29, 1975, she married Larry Allen Shepherd, who survives. She was a former member of Victory Baptist Church and prior to her retirement, she worked as a CNA with Paradise Acres. Erma was a loving wife to Larry for 38 years and a beautiful and loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She was preceded in death by one brother, Evin Eldreth and one sister, Merleen Darnell In addition to her husband, Mrs. Shepherd is survived by three daughters, Debbie Duke (Ronnie), Tenna Starling and Sherita Waller, and one son, Anthony Shepherd (Crystal), all of Statesville. She is also survived by one brother, Herbert Eldreth of Lenior and one sister, Aberteen Dishman of PA along with five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Funeral services for Mrs. Shepherd will be conducted 2:00 pm Friday, September 13, 2013 at Hillside Baptist Church with Rev. John Dixon and Rev. Joe Dellinger officiating. Burial will follow in the Oakwood Cemetery. The family will visit with friends Thursday evening from 6:30 until 8:00 pm at the funeral home. Active pallbearers will be Bobby Shepherd, Bryan Duke, Mike Barber, Chris Sereno, Jonathan McCoy and Emmauel McCoy. Online condolences can be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com/obituaries and Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Erma Shepherd.