Marjorie E. "Margie" Shepherd

  Marjorie E. “Margie” Shepherd, 92, of Sioux City, IA, passed away of natural causes on Thursday, July 11, 2024, at Regency Square Care Center in South Sioux City, NE.

  Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 17, at Restoration Church (4310 Old Lakeport Rd.) in Sioux City. Reverend Johnny Helton, Margie’s son-in-law, will officiate. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. at the church. Burial will take place on Wednesday, July 31, at the Fayetteville National Cemetery in Fayetteville, AR. Arrangements are under the direction of Meyer Brothers Funeral Homes. Online condolences may be directed to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

   Marjorie was born on March 15, 1932, in Los Angeles, California to Albert and Annie (Wiggins) Rowley. She graduated from Andrew Jackson High School in Jacksonville, FL in 1951.

   During Christmas of 1951, Margie met the love of her life, James Shepherd. She, along with members of Jim’s youth group, had sent post cards to him as he was stationed in Puerto Rico during the Korean War. He came home on Christmas furlough, saw Margie, and knew that she was “the one!” They were married June 7, 1952, and celebrated 71 wonderful years together before Jim’s passing in 2023.

   Margie and Jim lived in St. Albans, WV, from 1952-1982, Lakeland, FL, from 1982-2005, and Duncanville, TX, from 2005-2008, when they moved to Sioux City.

   Her years of work included working at several telephone companies in WV and FL, 8 years with the Union Carbide Engineering Department in WV, and 15 years at Southeastern University in Lakeland, FL. Margie was an amazing secretary, with her shorthand and typing skills being unmatched! 

   Marjorie also loved being housewife and mother to her three children: Bev, Mike and Angie. Becoming a grandmother brought a whole new dimension of love and joy to her life. Faith and family were everything to her and Jim.

   Margie was a woman of many talents. She was creative, artistic, crafty, musical, and was always willing to try any new challenge. She enjoyed painting, cake decorating, photography, quilting, embroidery, cross-stitch, and scrapbooking, just to name a few! Her artistic ability, inherited from her father, was passed on to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

   Margie was a member of Restoration Church in Sioux City, where she and Jim were also a beloved part of the Young at Heart ministry. While living in St. Albans, WV, the family attended First Assembly of God, where she faithfully served through the years as secretary, treasurer, Missionette leader, young adult leader, organist, choir member, and created the church bulletin each week.

   Margie is survived by her daughter, Bev (Gary) Denzer of Springdale, AR; son, Mike (Laura) Shepherd of Harbor Springs, MI; daughter, Angie (Johnny) Helton of Sioux City; four grandchildren: Jenny (David) Fairchild, Adam (Leandra) Rose, Tori (Aaron) Parrales, and Tyler (Laura) Helton; four great-grandchildren: Haston and Maddie Fairchild, and Layton and Magnolia Rose; sister, Frances (James) Ferrell of Orlando, FL; sister-in-law, Thelma Rowley of Ocklawaha, FL, and many nieces and nephews.

  She was preceded in death by her husband, James Shepherd; parents: Albert and Annie Rowley; brother, David Rowley; and sister, Ruth Hottinger.