Ella Shepard

Ella Mae Shepard was born on August 22, 1925, in Stoneham, Texas to her parents, Ernest Mike and Orene Phillips. She was the fourth child born in the family. She was raised surrounded by her brothers, Ernest, Jr., Robert, and her sisters, Corella and Bedelia. She received her early education in Stoneham, Texas where she attended Stoneham High School. Once relocating to Denver, she received her GED from Emily Griffith School.

Ella married, Robert B. Haynes while living in Texas. They exchanged vows in Navasota, Texas. To this union, a daughter, Bethada "Beth" was born. She later wed, Fred D. Shepard. They exchanged vows in Denver, Colorado. There were no children born to this union.

She was later blessed with three grandchildren, Michelle, Jacqueline, and Toni, who all were an additional source of joy and pride in her life. They lovingly called her "Madea." They fondly remember her being full of wisdom and love.

By profession, Ella was employed as a Para-Professional for the Denver Public Schools. She truly enjoyed working with the students, the other drivers, and the supervisors. She was hard-working, dedicated, and performed her duties with a spirit of excellence.

A woman of faith and belief in the Lord, Ella had been a member of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church and Greater Mount Olive Baptist Church for a number of years. She truly believed in the power of prayer and that everyone needed to have the right relationship with the Lord. She served her church and the Lord as a member of the Usher Board.

Ella was a fun-loving woman, who enjoyed life and those she encircled. In her free time, she enjoyed word puzzles, watching football, and her favorite soap opera, The Young and Restless. Her closest friends, Dorothy Page, Janet Duran, Darlene Barnes, Florence Trimble, Bernice Murphy, Misty Richardson, and Annie Shepard, will miss the many conversations they shared together and the fact that she was a true and trusted friend, who was loving and kind. To know Ella was to love her.

Ella Mae Shepard departed this life to the embrace of the Lord on May 31, 2019, in her home in Denver, Colorado. Those left to cherish her memory and mourn her loss include her daughter, Beth (William) Maxey of Aurora; 3 grandchildren, Michelle Riley, Jacqueline (Charles) Parker, and Toni (Michael) Thomas; 3 great grandchildren, Sharone', Breyauna, and Tempest; 9 great great grandchildren; 7 sister-in-laws; 3 brother-in-laws; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends.

Visitation : June 7, 2019 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace
6601 Colfax Avenue
Denver, CO 80220
(303) 996-0869

Celebration of Life : June 7, 2019 3:00 pm

Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace
6601 Colfax Avenue
Denver, CO 80220
(303) 996-0869

Private Cremation :

Pipkin Braswell
6601 East Colfax Ave.
Denver, CO 80220