WANDA SHEPARD

After graduating from Magnolia High School, Wanda joined the human resources department at PPG. While working there, she met and married James Springston in 1947. They raised their two daughters, Joyce and Marilyn, in a loving, Christ-centered home. In later years, Wanda managed her husband’s growing business, Quality Building and Realty, where he built custom homes throughout the area. Wanda and Jim were married 46 years before Jim’s passing in September 1993.

Wanda’s faith was the cornerstone of her life. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of New Martinsville for over 90 years. She sang in the church choir for 75 years, beautified the church with her floral arranging, served as a deaconess, trustee, and the first woman moderator. Wanda’s involvement in her faith expanded beyond the First Baptist Church where she served as president of the American Baptist Women of WV. In 1974, she was elected president of the American Baptist WV Convention comprised of over 700 churches.

Wanda was civic-minded. Her affiliations and leadership roles were many: the Women’s Civic League, the Japonica Hospital Twig, the local Red Cross, the Advisory Board of WV Northern Community College, Alderson Broaddus Board of Trustees, and the New Martinsville Library Board. One of her favorite organizations was the P.E.O. Sisterhood, which supports women’s educational initiatives. Through her involvement, Wanda made countless friends who never missed an opportunity to celebrate their honorary matriarch. One of the more memorable celebrations occurred on the front lawn of Wanda’s Fifth Street home when she turned 100! Because of the pandemic, her P.E.O. sisters gathered on her front lawn, lined with festive balloon bouquets, to serenade her with birthday well wishes.

Wanda enjoyed traveling and saw much of the world. New Zealand topped her list of favorite countries, but her most cherished adventure was the gift she gave her entire family– an 18-day African safari in 2001, visiting Botswana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, and South Africa.

As a spirited sports enthusiast, Wanda cheered for the West Virginia Mountaineers, the Steelers and Pirates. Her gameday attire always reflected her love for the blue and gold. Regardless of a game’s ending time, Wanda looked forward to a phone call from her great-grandson to discuss the highlights.

Several afternoons a week and every Friday evening, Wanda played cards, including her favorites: Bridge, 5 Crowns, and Phase 10. She loved entertaining friends and beating them at a card game of their choosing. Wanda’s house was particularly easy for her friends to identify during the summer months because of the curbside, brightly colored zinnia garden that stretched the span of her front yard. Wanda had a love of all plants and flowers and a wonderful gift for arranging them. Her backyard was a sanctuary for plants, but more importantly, chipmunks, squirrels, deer, and songbirds of all varieties. The picture window in her breakfast room provided a perfect venue for enjoying all of God’s creatures.

At 90, Wanda married her longtime best friend, Charles “Shep” Shepard. Whether they were watching WVU play ball, tending to their vegetable garden by the river, or on a road trip to visit family, they found joy being together. One of Shep and Wanda’s favorite traditions was their family’s Thanksgiving celebration at a cabin in Oglebay Park. They looked forward to spending the holiday with both Wanda and Eloise’s families. For many years, there were 25 or more family members gathered for the long weekend. Never a day passed in Shep and Wanda’s seven and a half years of marriage without Shep thanking God for his beautiful wife. Finding joy was a little more difficult after Shep’s passing in 2018, but Wanda pushed forward.

Wanda was often asked to share her secret for such a long and healthy life. With a twinkle in her eyes, she willingly gave her secret away. Love the Lord and your family with all your heart, eat three square meals each day, and drink a full cup of hot water every morning!

Mrs. Shepard is survived by her two daughters, Joyce Meeden Martineau (Peter Martineau) of Rockville, MD, and Marilyn Sue Hart (Beryl Hart) of Wheeling, WV; two grandchildren, Michelle Meeden Pikel (Matthew Pikel) of Fort Mill, SC, and Miles Meeden (Stacy Meeden) of Cincinnati, OH; and four great-grandchildren, Ellen “Ellie” Pikel (22), Emery Pikel (21), William “Bodey” Pikel (17), and Olivia Meeden (7).

A memorial service will be held at the First Baptist Church of New Martinsville on Wanda’s 104th birthday, July 2, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., with a luncheon following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to the First Baptist Church or to Kangaroo Kids, a nonprofit founded by her great- grandchildren that serves families with medically complex children. www.kangarookidsclt.org or Kanga Kids Inc., 1009 Rolling Park Lane, Fort Mill, SC 29715.