Kathryn Jane Shepherd's Obituary
Kathryn Jane Shepherd was born and raised in Bainbridge, Georgia. After graduating from Bainbridge High School, she earned an associate degree as a Phlebotomy Technology Specialist at Albany Technical College. She worked in the Atlanta area for many years and then moved back to Bainbridge to be near her mother, Betsy, in the last years of her life. Kathryn Jane worked as a hematology laboratory technician at the Florida State Hospital in Chattahoochee, Florida.
She was predeceased by her father, Harry Elwood Shepherd; her mother, Betsy Jo Trammell Shepherd; her sister, Ellen Shepherd Brinson; and her brother, Michael Lee Shepherd. She is survived by her brother, David Elwood Shepherd, six nieces and nephews, and a multi-generational clan of Trammell cousins.
A memorial service, with reception to follow, will be held on Saturday, September 23 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 516 East Broughton St., Bainbridge, Georgia.
Contributions in her memory may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. https://givenow.lls.org.
Kat Dragonfly
Named after our grandmother Willie Kate and our aunt Laura Jane, most of us called you Jane, but you much preferred Kat or Katja.
Almost twelve years younger than your closest sibling in age, you were an only child in many ways.
Unique and independent, you could be feisty like Willie Kate and Betsy Jo.
You were “a real character” at times and kept us chuckling with your wry sense of humor.
Smart and discerning, you could also be bluntly honest and did not hesitate to say what you were thinking. We always knew where we stood with you.
Open-minded and curious, you often noticed things others were too busy to see.
Adventurous and fun-loving, you were always up for trying and experiencing new things.
Often more comfortable with your dogs than other people, you had as many as five or six of them at one time. They were your beloved children, especially Gizmo who died last spring and Lily who was still with you.
You enjoyed crafting and making jewelry – dangly earrings in particular.
Loving nature and especially the beach, you took beautiful pictures that you shared online, making many new friends there.
You especially loved dragonflies and took some amazing pictures of them.
You loved traveling and seeing new places – Montana, Costa Rica, the Pacific Northwest, New York City. And making new friends at drumming and Rainbow Family gatherings.
You bravely faced your lymphoma for over ten years and then COPD. Together, they really slowed you down in recent years, but you still enjoyed nature, even if just sitting on your porch.
And you still had good times with nephew Harry, your Trammell cousins, and just recently nephew Zachary.
You also felt the constant love and support of brother David in recent months, even though he could not be with you in person.
You left us too soon, but while you were here, you experienced life to the fullest extent you could.
We will continue to enjoy the beautiful pictures and great selfies you took.
And when we see a dragonfly hovering near us, we will always think of you, Dear Kat!
With Love, Your Cuz Trudy
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