JACKSONVILLE  -  Doris Oxendine Shepard, 78, of the Haws Run Community, passed away Monday, December 23, 2024 at CarolinaEast Medical Center in New Bern. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 PM on Saturday, December 28, 2024 at Jones Funeral Home, Jacksonville Chapel with Pastor Henry Potter officiating.  Burial will follow at the Shepard Family Cemetery in Haws Run.

Mrs. Shepard was a daughter of the late James V. Oxendine and Ruth Maynor Oxendine. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, George Julius Shepard, two daughters, Tara Ursula Shepard and Bridgette Shepard Dunn and a brother Gaston Maynor.

She was a strong, God-fearing woman who endured many losses during her life, yet she remained loving and faithful in serving the Lord.  She was an excellent seamstress creating many beautiful projects.   Doris was also a wonderful cook.  The family would gather for the meals she created, especially her chicken and pastry and all the sweets she prepared.

Survivors include her daughter, Stephanie Brooks Pierce (Joey) of Maple Hill, son-in-law, Danny Dunn of Jacksonville; her son, George Sterling Shepard (Jamie) of Jacksonville; one brother, Monty Oxendine (Elizabeth) of Lumberton; and two sisters, Jackie Harding (Lance) of Sunset Beach and Sharon Bell (Randall) of Lumberton.

Mrs. Shepard was the proud Mamaw/Grandma to Chris Pierce (Kim), Sydnee Mains (Zachary), Nash Dunn (Kelli), Caroline Pierce, Lydia Shepard, Meredith Shepard, and Vivian Shepard and the Great-Grandma to Trent Taylor (Lauren) and Kenly Harris.  Doris also had numerous nieces and nephews whom she loved very much.

The family will receive friends Saturday morning, prior to the service, beginning at 11:00 AM at the funeral home.