George Nural Sheppard
December 21st 1931 – March 20th 2018
Geore's parents, Nural and Glessie
Into the Life
George Nural Sheppard was born on December 21, 1931, in Forest City, Rutherford County, North Carolina, to Nural Hathren Shepherd and Glessie McGaha. He grew up alongside his three siblings: Imogene, Nancy, and Dorcas Naomi Sheppard. He was saved in 1940 and joined the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Forest City, NC, in 1941. During his high school years, he worked multiple jobs, starting with a paper route, followed by shining shoes at a local shoe shop, and then working as a printer at A&M Press. He graduated high school in May 1950.
George Sheppard and his three siblings
Father: Nural Hathern Sheppard
Mother: Glessie McGaha
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1st Wife: Jeanne Stoffa
2nd Wife: Martha Ann Deaton
Yearbook superlatives
L to R: Nural and George Sheppard
Marines and Living in Pittsburgh PA
L to R: Jeanne Stoffa and George Sheppard
George enlisted in the US Marine Corps on March 20, 1951, and completed boot camp at Parris Island in Beaufort, SC. He was then transferred to Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, NC, where he was promoted to Sergeant on March 1, 1952. Afterward, he was transferred to a recruiting station in Pittsburgh, PA. While in Pittsburgh, he met Jeanne Stoffa, and the two started a family. Their first child, Beverly, was born in McKees Rocks, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. George was honorably discharged on December 17, 1954, and returned to Rutherford County, North Carolina where he had two more children, Barbara and George Jr. However, when Jeanne left unexpectedly, George was left to raise their children on his own.
Forest City House Deed
George and daughter Beverly
Naomi (George's Sister), Glessie (George's mother), along with his two daughters, Beverly and Barbara
George and his son, George Jr.
George and his daughters
Hunting
George in 1966 apart of the Hamlett Hunt Club
Charlotte Observer - October 16th, 1966
2nd Marriage
George in the Rescue Squad Yearbook
After moving to Harrisburg, North Carolina, George became involved in emergency medical services as an EMT instructor. It was during this time that he met Martha Ann Deaton while serving on the local EMT squad. Their shared dedication to helping others brought them together, and on March 17, 1977, they married. Through this union, George became a stepfather to Martha’s two children. The couple built a life together in Gold Hill and later Salisbury, North Carolina, where they spent their later years. George passed away on March 20, 2018, in Salisbury, leaving behind a legacy of service, resilience, and dedication to his family.
