Louise Reilly Sheppard

Buffalo Junction, VA. - Marie Louise Reilly Sheppard, 88, of Buffalo Junction, VA, passed away Thursday, November 12, 2015, in her home.Louise was born November 4, 1927, in Camden, NJ, to the late Charles and Marie Louise Masten Leddy. She was raised in New Jersey, and was a teacher and special education supervisor in both NJ and VA. Louise was actively involved with researching the history of Clarksville and the surrounding area. Louise was a member of the Clarksville Museum, a board member of the Clarksville Public Library, a member of the Clarksville Heritage Foundation, a longtime board member and secretary of the South Boston/Halifax County Museum, an ardent genealogist, and researcher for her husband, historian James N. Sheppard, for his column “Land by the Rivers”. Mrs. Sheppard is survived by husband James Nelson Sheppard; son and partner Stephen Thomas Reilly and Sal Mergliano of Audubon, NJ; daughter and son-in-law Eileen Frances and Hank Centuolo of Halifax, step-son and daughter-in-law Robert M. and Belinda Sheppard of Nelson, step-daughter and son –in-law Kathy and Bert Martin of Clover; sister Christina L. Becker of Colorado, sisters and brothers-in-law Patricia L. and George Bardsley of Round Hill, VA, and Diane L. and Michael Ferrovecchio of Cream Ridge, NJ; grandchildren Henry J. Centuolo, Jr. and Army MSG John B. and Rhonda Centuolo; step-grandchildren Emily Martin and Arett Barnard, four great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Louise was pre-deceased by her first husband of 48 years, James S. Reilly; sister Peggy Wescott and brothers Charles Leddy and John Hall Leddy. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Sunday, November 15, 2015, at Jamieson Memorial United Methodist Church in Clarksville, with the Reverend John Bright officiating. Entombment will immediately follow at the Oakhurst Mausoleum. Visitation for friends and family will be held at Watkins Cooper Lyon Funeral Home on Saturday, November 14, 2015, at 7:00-8:30 P. M. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Louise Sheppard to the SPCA, P. O. Box 14, Clarksville, VA 23927, or the South Boston/Halifax County Museum of Fine Arts and History, 1540 Wilborne Ave, South Boston, VA 24592. The Sheppard family is being served by Watkins Cooper Lyon Funeral Home. Online condolences may be expressed to the Sheppard family at www.wclfh.com