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1921 Doris 2019

Doris D. Shepherd

November 29, 1921 — January 23, 2019

Let the love and spirit of Doris be with us forever
97 years oldBorn on November 29, 1921, in Topeka, KansasPassed away on January 23, 2019, in Columbia, Missouri
Doris Dean Shepherd passed away at her residence in Columbia, Missouri, January 23, 2019, at the age of ninety-seven after a long and productive life. She was born in Topeka, Kansas, November 29, 1921, and is the daughter of the late Louis Edwin Eyth and Orell Fulton Eyth, both of Council Grove, Kansas.
After graduating from high school, Doris studied secretarial science. In 1940, after passing a civil service exam, she was called to Washington, DC, and worked there for the Agriculture, Chemistry and Engineering Department. She returned to work in Topeka as the war effort was taking up space in the DC offices. In Topeka, she met her first husband, Edison Weston. By the time they married (1943) Edison was assigned to Nashville, Army Air Cadet School. The new bride followed her husband to Nashville, Tennessee; Newport, Arkansas; Montgomery, Alabama; and finally, Americus, Georgia where Edisons young life came to an end in a flight-training accident.
The young widow came home to her family in Topeka and started working again for the government. Eugene Ralph Shepherd, a distant relative, had heard of her loss and began a correspondence from the Pacific War effort. It was love and when Gene was released from the war, he decided to forgo plans to continue in the Navy and instead came home to Kansas City. There he would be closer to his family and his future bride.
Doris and Gene were married in a formal wedding at Westside Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas, September 30, 1945, with many family and friends in attendance. They began a family that grew to three daughters. Eugene was able to find work at Hall Brothers (now Hallmark Cards) where his sister and brother were already employed. His creativity and mechanical skills would be put to good use over 36 years with the company.
The couple owned and lived in three homes in Kansas City while the girls were growing up. The girls attended Westport High (Linda and Nancy) and Southwest (Cindy). The house on Coleman Road holds the most memories for family and friends. Pets also figured prominently in family affairs as did trips to visit grandparents in the Ozarks and in Raytown.
Doris was a devoted mother and wife and a good role model for how to live life with care and compassion for others and how to get things done. She was generous and thoughtful and looked for opportunities where she could be of service. People enjoyed her cheerfulness, helpfulness, and the fact that she was always planning something.
She was an excellent thinker and writer. After the girls were grown, she worked for the Executive Director of the Kansas City Chapter of the National Conference of Christians and Jews (NCCJ) and for a municipal Judge. She was a member and officer of the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 520 and of the American Business Womens Association (ABWA). She served twice as president of the first chartered chapter of ABWA, the Pioneer Charter Chapter, formed in 1949 in a downtown Kansas City Restaurant.
Eugene passed away in 1991 and in 2003, Doris moved to Columbia, Missouri, to be closer to her daughter, Nancy. Doris had many good years in Columbia active in community and church. She kept up relationships via correspondence and phone with many, friends and family, old and new. As she told her daughters, "one is silver and the other gold."
Her long life touched many people, including the residents and caregivers at the independent living community of The Terrace, the assisted living facility at Lake George, and finally The Provision. In 2015, she memorialized stories of her life in a self-published, 20-page book. She sent Christmas cards in 2018. Many will miss her sweet and happy presence.
Doris is survived by three daughters, Linda Jensen (California), Nancy Shepherd (Rocheport), and Cynthia Shepherd (California) and the husbands of Nancy (Brian McInerney) and Cindy (Denis Walker). She also leaves behind beloved nieces and nephew, Barbara Hinchsliff and Bob, Donna Flory and John, Duane Eyth and Janice, and on the Shepherd side, Eugene's sister, Janet. Their children and grandchildren loved their Aunt Doris and gave her much joy. She is predeceased by her husband of 46-years, brother Everett Eyth, and sister Leola Whitehair.
A vistitation will be held from 11:00 to 11:30am followed by the funeral service at 11:30am, Friday, February 15, at Muehlebach Funeral Care, 6800 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO 64131. Burial will be held at 11am, Saturday, February 16, at Mount Hope Cemetery, 4700 SW 17 St., Topeka, KS 66604. Favorite causes are United Church of Christ of Columbia, MO (www.columbiaucc.com) and PAWS of Fayette, MO (c/o Kim Thompson, 279 County Road 342, Franklin, MO 65250). Condolences may be expressed to the family and photos viewed at www.MuehlebachChapel.com.
Visitation Muehlebach Funeral Home

Friday, February 15, 2019

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM

6800 Troost AvenueKansas City, Missouri
Directions Funeral Service Muehlebach Funeral Care

Friday, February 15, 2019

11:30 AM

6800 Troost AvenueKansas City, Missouri 64131
Directions Graveside Service Mount Hope Cemetery

Saturday, February 16, 2019

11:00 AM

4700 SW 17th StreetTopeka, KS 66604
Directions

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