Audrey Ellen Shepherd, of Dixon, was born on September 24, 1931 just outside of Dixon, the second child of Louis Vincent and Alma E. (Fritchey) Slone, and departed this life at 11:33 a.m., Sunday morning, March 28, 2021 in the Dixon Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Dixon. Mrs. Shepherd had been in failing health for some time and had attained the age of 89 years, 6 months and 4 days.

Following her graduation from Dixon public schools, she was united in marriage on June 12, 1948 at the Christian Church in Dixon to Mr. William Carl Shepherd and to this union, four children were born. She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl on November 2, 2014; her son, Arthur Shepherd on December 11, 2017; her father on May 1, 1987; her mother on February 10, 2000; her grandson, Josh Shepherd, and infant great granddaughter, baby Doyle and her sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy and Andy George.

She accepted the Lord as her personal savior at a young age and was a member of the First Baptist Church where she ministered in many capacities. She was known as an exceptional cook and an immaculate housekeeper.

Audrey and Carl lived in St. Louis for fifteen years, before returning to Dixon in March 1963. She worked at Richland for H.D. Lee Co. and later went to work as the secretary for the Production Credit Association. In 1978, Audrey and her sister, Dorothy, and her daughter, Carlene, purchased Dixon Floral and operated it until her retirement in 1990. Audrey and Carl enjoyed traveling, which was one of her favorite things. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother and will be sadly missed by all her family and friends.

Those left to mourn the passing of Audrey include: her children, Carlene McMillian and her husband, Elroy, Dixon; Lewis Shepherd, Rolla and Kevin Shepherd and his wife, Joyce, Dixon; daughter-in-law, Jeannie Shepherd, Dixon; nine grandchildren, Kim, Jeff, Kristy, Bailey, Zachary, Gina, Tyler, Lindsay and Jason; twenty-one great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.

Visitation from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. service time on Wednesday, March 31, 2021 in the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Chapel, Dixon with Pastor Jerry Dooley and Pastor Jack Caple officiating.

Interment in the Dixon Cemetery under the direction of the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Dixon. Pallbearers for Mrs. Audrey Shepherd are Zachary Shepherd, Jeff McMillian, Jason Shepherd, Jacob Sherrell, John Doyle and Roland Ray.

Memorial contributions are suggested by the family to the Dixon Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund.