Phyllis Gene Shepherd

Phyllis Gene Shepherd, 87, of Peach Tree City, Ga., formerly of Viola, died Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009, in Georgia. Services are 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at Dennison Funeral Home, Viola, with visitation noon to service time. Burial is at Petrie Cemetery, New Windsor. Memorials may be made to Viola American Legion Auxiliary or Viola United Presbyterian Church. She was born Sept. 24, 1922, in Moline, daughter of A. Paul and Mary M. Plunkett Sanquist. She married George Edward Shepherd on May 2, 1941, in Woodhull. He preceded her in death in 1985. Gene attended Hopewell School then graduated from New Windsor High School. She lived in New Windsor until married, then moved to Viola in 1945. Active in her community, she was a member of Viola United Presbyterian Church, Viola American Legion Auxiliary, Viola Women's Club and DAR (Daugher of the American Revolution). Mrs. Shepherd was a former Cub Scout den mother and den mother coach as well as a former 4-H leader. Surviving are her daughter and son-in-law, Ann and Dave Brooks, Atlanta, Ga; six grandchildren, Todd Kilgore, Jim Brooks, Jay Brooks, Linea Atchley, Lisa Atchley and Cinnamon Mitchel; 16 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and daughter-in-law, Judy Shepherd. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son, Earl Shepherd; daughter, Mary Kilgore; and sister, Gwen Barden.