Virginia Sheppard

Augusta, GA – Entered into rest on Monday, December 20, 2021, Mrs. Virginia Mathis Sheppard, 96, wife of 42 years to the love of her life, the late Horace “Scrap” Sheppard.

A native of Avera, GA and longtime resident of Augusta GA., Virginia graduated with a bachelor’s degree in early education from Georgia State College for Women. She retired from the Columbia County Board of Education after teaching for twenty years at Martinez Elementary School. Like other members of her family, she was greatly involved in education. Her father, Claude E. Mathis, a former mayor of Avera, was instrumental in the building of the first modern school facility in Avera in the 1930’s. Her mother Julia Will Dixon Mathis, a graduate of Wrens Academy, was one of the first women in Jefferson County to be educated beyond elementary school. Virginia’s brother, William Lewis “Moon” Mathis was a longtime agriculture teacher at Wrens High School. After his retirement he was inducted into the Georgia Agriculture Hall of Fame.

Family members include her sons: Charles Randall “Randy” Sheppard and Larry R. Sheppard (Sandra); grandchildren: Natalie Sheppard Moorhead (Justin) and numerous nieces and nephews and a special friend: Sherry McKie.

A graveside service will be held Monday, December 27, 2021, at 2:00 P.M. at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. James Andrew Menger officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Augusta, 3500 Walton Way Ext., Augusta, GA 30909, Pleasant Grove Baptist Church of Avera, 1350 Church Street, Avera, GA 30803 or to a charity of your choice.

The family will receive friends following the service at the cemetery.

Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com