Rev. Dr. Bob D. Shepherd

The Reverend Doctor Bob D. Shepherd of Morganton, NC, passed away at the age of 93 on Sunday, April 30, 2023, after a short illness. He was lovingly surrounded by his wife of 71 years, his 4 children and a son-in-law.

Bob felt called to church ministry in 1955 and lived each day serving God and spreading God's word. He loved serving at each of his pastorates which included Bullock Baptist Church in Granville County, NC, First Baptist Church in Mooresville, NC, First Baptist Church in Sanford, NC, and First Baptist Church in Morganton, NC. After his retirement in 1994, he served as Interim Pastor at 14 other churches. Also, during his work life, he served as Vice President for Advancement at Gardner Webb University.

His contributions to the communities in which he lived were numerous. He served 3 terms as Chairman of the General Board of the Baptist State Convention and also Chairman of the Executive Committee. He served 8 years as Trustee at

Wake Forest University, including special committees serving Wake Forest University Baptist Hospital, Wake Athletics and the formation of the Wake Forest School of Divinity. He also served 8 years as Trustee at Gardner Webb University. In 1994, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Gardner Webb University and in 1998 the Bob D. Shepherd Chair of Biblical Studies was established in the GWU School of Divinity. Bob was also especially proud of being named a Paul Harris Fellow and of his 60-year Rotary Club membership.

Bob was preceded in death by his father and mother, Jesse Talmadge Shepherd and Mamie Tickle Shepherd and his five siblings.

He leaves behind his wife, Dolores Vinson Shepherd; daughter, Karen Johnson (Ray) of Morganton; son, B. Dale Shepherd, Jr (Gayemell) of Seven Lakes NC; daughter, Vicki Morgan (Michael) of Chapel Hill NC; son, Noel Shepherd of Winston Salem NC; 6 grandchildren; and 6 great grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 12:30 to 2 p.m., Saturday, May 20, 2023 in the parlor of First Baptist Church. A celebration of life will follow at 2 p.m. in the church with Dr. Thomas A. Bland, Jr. officiating.

In lieu of flowers, you are invited to send memorial donations to First Baptist Church in Morganton or to Gardner Webb University School of Divinity for the Bob D. Shepherd Chair.

The family wishes to express appreciation to Dr. Martin Gessner, Dr. Walter Pearcy, and the wonderful staff at Amorem Hospice in Valdese, NC.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.