FLETCHER, N.C. — Adelaide Parent Shepard, 93, of Fletcher, N.C., died peacefully with grace with family by her side on Friday, July 23, 2021. She was born March 19, 1928, in Burlington, Vt., and grew up in Richmond, Vt.

She graduated from Richmond High School and attended the University of Vermont, where she received a Bachelor of Nursing Degree and became an RN. She met Harley Shepard after he returned from World War II. Harley and Adelaide fell in love and married on Aug. 25, 1950, in Richmond. They raised five sons to be independent productive citizens. After several years in general medical practice together in Bristol, Vt., Adelaide and Harley moved their growing family and settled in Bridgewater, N.J. 

Following her interest in nursing, Adelaide pursued a career in school nursing. She attended Trenton State College and received a master’s in School Nursing. She worked about 15 years in two school systems as a school nurse. Many students trusted and confided in her. She encouraged several students who considered dropping out to finish and graduate. She loved young people and was a mentor to many. Upon her retirement she and Harley moved to Florida during the winter and enjoyed their summers in their home in Brandon, Vt. Three hurricanes later, they sold the Florida home and relocated to western North Carolina. Fletcher became their home, where they enjoyed many activities. They were both very active, supportive members of Fletcher United Methodist Church. Adelaide loved music and enjoyed playing the accordion, which she did at many of the family reunions. She loved to sing. She participated in the FUMC choir for many years.

Adelaide is predeceased by her husband Harley Grupe Shepard; her mother Alice Parent; and her father Alfred Parent. She is survived by her sister, Donna Jean Gile of Bristol; her five sons, Michael (wife Marcia) of Hendersonville, N.C., Gary (wife Janet) of Easton, Conn., David (wife Stephanie) of Brooklyn, N.Y, Steven (wife Barbara) of Winston Salem, N.C., and Timothy (partner Dustin) of Mills River, N.C. Also included here is a very special man she considered to be her sixth son, Joseph Hepworth (wife Carol) of Chester, Mass. She is survived by eight grandchildren: Sarah Luick (Robert), Kirk (Anthony), Kyle (Manuel), Christopher (René), Blake (Caryln), Lauren Aponte (Ray), Sydney and Halle; and six great-grandchildren, Colton and Carson Luick, Zelda and Theodore Shepard, Callahan Shepard and Harper Shepard-Szabo.

The family will gather for calling hours at the Brown McClay Funeral Home in Bristol, Vt., on Monday, Aug. 2, from 6 to 9 p.m. A graveside service will be held 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 3, at Greenwood Cemetery in Bristol. A memorial service to honor and celebrate her life will be held at the Fletcher United Methodist Church in Fletcher, N.C,. at a later date TBA. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the “FUMC music ministry.” Send checks to: Fletcher United Methodist Church, 50 Library Road, Fletcher, N.C. 28732. If you choose to donate online, the church’s website is www.fletcherumc.org. The church will have a link for donations up and running in September.

To send online condolences to her family please visit www.brownmcclayfuneralhomes.com. For those who can’t attend the graveside service a video of the service will be located on the Brown McClay website at the bottom of the obituary.◊