Ellis B. Shepherd

October 11, 1938 - January 5, 2017

Ellis B. Shepherd, 78, of Kenova, WV died Thursday, January 5, 2017 at Cabell Huntington Hospital.  Funeral services will be held at 11:00am Tuesday, January 10, 2017 at England Hill Free Will Baptist Church, Catlettsburg, KY, with Pastor Willie May and special friend Larry Thompson officiating.  Burial will follow at Spring Valley Memory Gardens, Huntington, WV. He was born October 11, 1938 in Huntington, WV, to the late Marie Eastham Shepherd and Ernest R. (ER) Shepherd who resided in Huntington, WV.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Roy, Ray and John Shepherd; and one sister, Wanda Carico.  He was retired from Heat & Frost Insulator’s Local #80.  After retirement, one of his favorite hobbies included woodworking.  He made many beautiful birdhouses and clocks for family and friends, which now will become treasures forever. He was a member of England Hill Free Will Baptist Church.  He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Carolyn W. Shepherd; three children, Sherri Shepherd (Gill) Gillerlain, Kelly Shepherd and David Shepherd; one honorary son, Johnnie (Willa Dean) Wallace; one sister, Opal Shepherd Ray; two grandchildren, TaraJo Gillerlain (Ryan)  Martelli and Brody Shepherd;  three honorary grandchildren,  Beth Wallace McNearney and family, Amie Wallace Crockett and family and Jason Wallace, who greeted Ellis in heaven.  He also leaves behind several nieces and nephews that he loved very much including a very special niece, Vicki Ray and two special nephews, John Ray and Glen Whited.   Friends may call from 5 to 8 PM on Monday, January 9, 2017 at Slack and Wallace Funeral Home, South Point, OH. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.slackandwallace.com.