James A. Sheppard

The genesis of Mr. James Allen Sheppard began April 10, 1942, in Charleston, South Carolina as the son of the late John Benjamin (Jessie) Sheppard and Emily Victoria Sheppard. James transitioned into eternal rest on Wednesday, July 12, 2023.

James joined Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church at an early age and was baptized. He served as a Class Leader and a member of the Lay Organization. He was an avid Sunday School Teacher for over 25 years. He attended Buist Elementary School and was a graduate of Burke High School, Class of 1960. He was a proud member of the Burke High School Bulldogs.

James served his country by enlisting in the United States Air Force, serving from 1960 – 1964. While enlisted in the armed forces; James was stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, Madrid, Spain, where he served as a Medic and finally at Charleston Air Force Base in Charleston, South Carolina. After which, James matriculated to the Manhattan Community College of New York in New York City, New York.

 James’ occupational pilgrimage began with the General Post Office in New York; at the location of Morgan and Brooklyn and later at The Charleston Naval Shipyard.

After his retirement, James was employed at Ernest’s Meat Market along beside one of his best friends, Ernest Murray who preceded him in death.

James had an invigorating chic fashionable refreshing style of dressing assuring his attire was attractive and correct for each of life’s adventures he would encounter. He was humble and held closed lips regarding concerns and needs for Polly (the love of his life) and their five majestic and magnificent gentlemen (sons).

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings’ two sisters; Helen Sanders and Catherine Sheppard Fields; and two brothers; John Benjamin Sheppard and Robert Sheppard.

James leaves to cherish his purpose driven life, his dedicated and faithful wife, Polly Daniels Sheppard of the home (Florence, South Carolina ); five sons; Lorenza (Samantha) James of Douglasville, Georgia; Oscar James of Atlanta, Georgia, Kelvin (Kim) James of Columbia, South Carolina, Gilbert (Cheryl) James of Summerville, South Carolina; and Jeffery Sheppard of Charleston, South Carolina; a sister, Albertha Sheppard of Charleston, South Carolina; seven grandchildren; eighteen great grandchildren; a special caregiver and niece, Latrtice Pringle of Florence, South Carolina; six sisters-in-law; five brothers-in-law; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, the Mother Emanuel Church Family, other relatives and friends along with two special friends, Chalmus (Brenda) Hood of Fairmont, North Carolina and Larry (Marie) Green of Knightsville, South Carolina.

Please keep the family of James A. Sheppard in your thoughts and prayers.