Ruth (Howell) Shepherd

Ruth Howell Shepherd, 82, of Kannapolis, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 4, 2023.

Ruth was born on November 11, 1941, in Ashe County. She was a cherished daughter of the late Edward Howell and Betty Connor Howell. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband, Charles R. Shepherd, Jr.; sisters, Janlene Johnson, Avanell Miller, Patricia Reynolds, Shirley Campbell, and Geneva Johnson; brothers, James Howell, Rex Howell, Oren Howell, Steve Howell; and stepdaughter, Tammy Shepherd.

Ruth spent her career working in Cannon Mill as a cloth inspector for over 40 years. She was a faithful member of Liberty Baptist Church where she attended for many years. She enjoyed gardening and tending to her flowers. Ruth loved spending time with her dog, Hailey.

Those left to cherish her memory include her siblings, Joe Howell (Vickie) and Kitty Jennings and Wayne Howell (Maria); daughters, Ellen Hill and husband Dave of Salisbury, NC, and Amy Taylor and husband Steve of Holden Beach; stepchildren Pam Bolick of Kannapolis, Charles M. Shepherd and wife Sylvia of China Grove, Tony Shepherd and wife Kathy of Las Vegas, and James Shepherd and wife Karen of Kannapolis; and numerous loving grandchildren and great- grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 11-12:00 pm Saturday, December 9, 2023 at Whitley’s Funeral Home in Kannapolis. Followed by a funeral service beginning at 12:00pm in the chapel. Interment will immediately follow at Carolina Memorial Park in Kannapolis.