Thelma Gaspard Shepherd

Thelma Gaspard Shepherd, 92, of Lake Charles, died Sunday December 4, 2016 in the comfort of her home surrounded by her family.

Thelma was a lifelong resident of the Lake Charles, being one of fourteen children in South Lake Charles. She was very proud of her large family and many cousins. During World War II, she, along with her sister Louise, worked in the shipyards at Pascagoula, Mississippi as a “Rosie the Riveter”.  She was a faithful member of Christ the King Catholic Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Telice Miller Gaspard; her husband of 66 years, Allen Clett Shepherd; siblings, Glen Gaspard, Kirby Gaspard, Louise McCardle, Verda Williams, Letha Cormier Vincent and Carolyn Primeaux. She is survived by her sons, Thomas Allan Shepherd and wife Pam and Blaine Shepherd and wife Chanda; both of Lake Charles; daughters, Lorraine LeBleu and husband Ervin (Jr.), Lake Charles and Nanette Ardoin and husband Rod, Fort Cobb, OK; three brothers, Nadel Gaspard, Nolan Gaspard and John Gaspard, all of Lake Charles; four sisters, Enell Nash, Gerdell Theriot and Sylvia Mangum, all of Lake Charles and Nelvia Murphy, Creole; eight grandchildren, Reanie Nunez and husband Jason, Cody LeBleu and wife Chrissy, Tommy Shepherd, Tonya Laughlin and husband Travis, Hannah Avery and husband Eric, Mary Ardoin, Jacob Shepherd, and Chandler Pesson; eleven great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.

The family wishes to extend a special word of gratitude to Leigh Ann Bellard for the kind and compassionate care shown to Thelma while under her care.

Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM on Tuesday December 6, 2016 at Johnson Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 2:00 PM Tuesday at the Johnson Funeral Home chapel with the Very Rev. Anthony Fontenot officiating. Burial will be at Highland Cemetery.