Susan Stapleton Sheppard

Susan Stapleton Sheppard, beloved wife of James Andy Sheppard, passed away peacefully at her residence on October 19, 2026. She was born on May 30, 1949, in Augusta, Georgia, to Walter Howard Stapleton and Sara McTier Stapleton. Susan was raised on the family farm near Stapleton, in a community where her family’s roots extend back to 1784.

From an early age, Susan’s life was closely tied to the Stapleton community. She attended elementary and middle school in Stapleton and graduated from Wrens High School in 1968. She continued her studies at Georgia College & State University and Augusta University, where she studied early childhood education. She was employed at Stapleton Academy and later at Thomas Jefferson Academy, where she taught K4 until her retirement, faithfully devoting her professional life to the instruction and encouragement of young children.

Beyond her work in the classroom, Susan was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and sister. Her life was marked by faithfulness to her family, service to her community, and dedication to her church. She was a charter member of the Stapleton Civic Club and a lifelong member of the former Stapleton Methodist Church, where she served in various capacities, including teaching children’s Sunday school.

Susan leaves a loving family who will cherish her memory. She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter Howard Stapleton and Sara McTier Stapleton; and by her grandparents, George Willis Stapleton and Lucille Rivers Stapleton, and Joseph Franklin McTier and Lee Rooks McTier. She is survived by her husband of 56 years, James Andy Sheppard; her son, Dr. James Christopher Sheppard, and his wife, Kayleigh; her granddaughter, Ashlyn Sheppard Kitchens, and her husband, Dr. Nathaniel Kitchens; her grandson, Lawson Stapleton Sheppard; and her great-granddaughter, Eloise James Kitchens.

She is also survived by her sister, Luann Stapleton Staulcup, and her husband, Gene; and her brother, Walter Scott Stapleton, and his wife, Catherine.

She is further survived by her nieces and nephews, Julie Kelly (James), Brian Staulcup (Elisabeth), Andrew Stapleton, Caroline Stapleton, Faith Fryer (Benjamin), Gary Kitchens (Kristy), Kellen Holmes, Heather Clark, and April Arrington.

She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Bobbie Williams, and her husband, Lindy; her brother-in-law, Tommy Sheppard, and his wife, Karen; as well as several great-nieces and great-nephews.

A time of visitation and remembrance will be held at James Funeral Home on October 21, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on October 22, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. in the James Funeral Home Chapel, with Reverend Wayne Racz and Reverend Don Black officiating. Interment will follow at Stapleton Memorial Gardens in Stapleton.

Pallbearers will be Andrew Stapleton, Joseph Wilson, Jackson Staulcup, Gary Kitchens, Tony Kelly, and Danny Beckworth.