Anna L. Shepherd

Anna L. McElhaney Shepherd

, affectionately known as Shug, age 89, passed away July 5, 2017 in Gilbert, Arizona. Anna was born in Gore, Oklahoma to Charles A. and Della H. McElhaney. She is survived by her daughter Sandra Weiland, granddaughter Shannon Weiland, sister Pauline Smith, brother Moroni McElhaney, sister-in-law Cindy McElhaney, brother-in-law James Waite and numerous nieces and nephews. Services will be held on Friday, July 14, at 11:00am, with viewing at 10am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints , 21320 S. Greenfield Road, Gilbert, Arizona 85298.

My Name Is Brother Armstrong and I was asked to give this Life sketch for

Anna Laura Shepherd McElhaney was an Amazing Woman.

I would like to welcome everyone out today as we spend time with our dear Anna … to be here, Celebrate & Remember the life of Anna Laura Sheppard McElhaney.

Anna, was born on March 24

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, 1928 at (Green Leaf Mountain) Gore County, Oklahoma. She was the 6

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child of 12 children (8 girls & 4 boys). She is survived by Moroni McElhaney, Annie Edna Pauline Smith, Her Daughter Sandra, Her Granddaughter Shannon.

Anna’s life started at Mom and Dads, 180 Acre Ranch in Oklahoma. Anna’s, 7 brothers and sisters, lived on the ranch until about 1933. As a child, Anna remembered the snow in Oklahoma and the Family moving to Mesa Arizona where they lived at Marion Ray’s farm East of Mesa, and Howard Millets Farm were Dora Mae Susan McElhaney was born. A little while later the Family moved to the

Family Homestead, at Pasadena Street

in Mesa Az. This is where there 10

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, 11

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, and 12

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and final child was born.

Anna started school in Mesa & excelled in her studies, she loved math and history

Anna remembered growing up and working hard, but the bottom line was, it was always about family and sticking together, always trying to make things work.

Christmas was simple,,,, a homemade rag doll, maybe few pieces of candy, an Apple, peanuts, all placed in a paper bag. Money was scarce, most of the time with 12 children,,, birthday celebrations were kept to the basics..

She remembers, having kids & family coming over for big Bonfires by the big tree in front of the house on Pasadena St..

Anna’s first love was a teacher in high school named Mr. Leads. That crush lasted until he came back from a vacation, married. She said he broke Her heart.

Her next big crush was Joseph M. Caldwell, she was 10, he worked at a tire shop.

Anna’s first job was at 11, coloring pictures at a photography shop in Mesa, Az.

When she was 12, She became the 1

st

Jr. lifeguard in Mesa Arizona. Later on that year, Anna came down with rheumatic fever and was put on goat’s milk for her health. Dr. Hartman suggested that She go, live in Wasco California, with her sister Mary Ellen Armstrong, so off she went. That situation didn’t seem to work out, so Anna had a mad moment and She hitchhiked to Fresno California.

13Yrs Old, She went to

Cory and O’Hara’s place

were, Anna’s first job in Fresno was to work with fig trees, she learned how to pick peaches, plums, apricots, grapes and work on the pack line.

14Yrs Old, She waited tables and made sandwiches at a drive-in theater. Leah came along later and got a job washing dishes and cleaning up.

15 ½ Yrs Old, She worked the hearts cafeteria in downtown Fresno California.

17Yrs Old, She worked as a Full Waitress back over at The Hearts Restaurant/Café.

Next in Her Life was Anna’s Husband, Floyd Shepherd. They stayed Married for 24 Years. They met as a friend of George D. Armstrong Sr. They dated for about 2 Years & were married in Fresno California, at the courthouse. Floyd went into the military and was stationed up around Selena for a while and then was re-stationed at Fort Lewis Washington. He later sent for Anna to come stay with him.

She got a babysitting job form the Dempsey’s, they had a little girl named Sandra and that’s why she named her daughter Sandra.

Anna & Floyd had just moved into a place called Shabo Terrace, when Sandra’s birth mother, asked if Anna & Floyd would want to become the parents of there soon to be born baby girl? They could not support another child? They said Yes, and so they were given the baby and named Her Sandra Shepherd.

Anna remembered back when she lived in the Northern California mountains, and She was the wife of Floyd Shepherd. She, Loved her family, and especially Her Daughter Sandra. Sandra was always very good at playing all kinds of musical instruments. The love that filled Anna’s Heart, was enough for a Life time. Even with all the Heartbreaks that would come later in Her Life, when she was happy, she was really happy.

Anna worked at the FW Wool-Worth Dime Store for 3yrs, in Vallejo California, where She became the Assist. Manager of the restaurant, that was located inside of that Store.

Anna worked in Oroville, Calif. at JJ New-Barries-Dime-store, then as a cashier, for Safeway in Fairfield. She then became the Assistant Manager for the New FW Wool Worth store in Oroville).

Some Years later, After Anna’s divorce from Floyd Shepherd, Anna moved to Tempe Az. where she once again worked for Wool-Worth. At around (1967) She then transferred to the Tucson Wool-Worth, This time as a buyer for the store; she traveled around Arizona, Nevada & Southern California. They furnished all transportation. (She did this for them, until she retired. (This was Her 1

st

Retirement).

Anna also worked in a career of Nursing (Retiring at 65 with 24 years of service). One of the places she worked, was what She called a Clinic. She Loved serving and talking to the people. She retired and still served by doing home care.

Anna had a small companion named, Simba, He was Her little long-haired, Pomeranian dog that She Loved. He was named by Anna’s granddaughter Shannon, after the lion, on lion King because he looked like, a little lion when he was fluffed up. Anna Loved, talking to Her Granddaughter on the phone. Shannon, Your Grandmother Loved You!

Anna always made the comment that “

work, is not going to do itself, you have to get up off your tail (or Get-up Off Your High Horse), and get to doing it

!”

The fact is, that Anna lived a long and full life with a lot of ups and downs, a lot of pain and suffering. But the bottom line is Anna learned how to make even those moments…. Moments to learn from, always trying to smile and find the bright side, so that she could cheer you up, as She gave you that cute little girl chuckle of a laugh. “What a Beautiful Blessing, God gave Us in Anna.

THAT WAS ANNA

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This is a list of things that Anna did in her life time:

Anna recalls going to Franklin school in Mesa, Az. She Loved Math, History and all kinds of sports. She completed high school and 3 years of college.

Anna’s favorite color is pink and Her favorite flowers are pink Carnations. It is said that Pink Carnations are a symbol of a mother’s undying Love. We will always have love for Anna and Anna will always have Love for us.

Favorite songs: “I’m a child of God”, & “A Child’s Prayer!”

Anna worked as a Dance Instructor, waitress, (Retired) as a sales manager/buyer for FW Woolworth’s Stores, Retired medical nurse (24 years), home nursing care, Was the 1

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Junior Lifeguard in Mesa Arizona. Tetherball champion for two years.

Anna, worked with the family as a sharecropper, picked grapes, figs, apricots, plums, peaches, cotton, watermelons, (you name it I think she picked it), she worked coloring pictures out of photography store and she worked at a skating arena, repairing, adjusting & polishing the shoes, And she was also the floor bouncer at the skating rink.

When she could, She sent her extra money home to help mama pay the bills.

She lived in many cities throughout the Southwest. Mostly California, Arizona, Washington and Oklahoma.

She had many animals in Her Life: Cows, Goats, Pigs, Chickens, Horses & Dogs.

She liked to stay busy.

She worked at a doctor’s office

She Was a Babysitter & Nanny

She Loved to Dance and was a dance instructor

She Loved Water Skiing and Snow Skiing

In Her Youth She Loved to Run

She Was an Active church member of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints, Doing Her Family Temple Work, When She Could.

She talked about the El Marage Ward and how it was made-up of people from all walks of Life and from many different countries and she enjoyed talking to them. She Loved giving and getting Hugs & Kisses from the Children.

Heartbroken when Her Grandson Shane died of cancer.

The question did come up about how Anna and how She received her nickname of “SUG”? Well it’s simple she says, when I was a little girl, everyone called me sugar and so as I grew older, SUG was short for sugar.  Anna had a lot of old sayings and another one was: If you get knocked down or bucked off,,, or if your down on your Luck. Get back up, dust yourself off, get back on the horse and get back in the game. (Another):“Get-Off Your High Horse!”

Anna, Had Grit, Spunk, Get up and Go, (whatever you want to call it) Anna, seem to have a little extra, always going the extra mile, always doing what she could do to help others.

Anna has close ties to Our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. She went to church when she could and through Her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, She received her Endowments in the Mesa Temple.

Anna Laura McElhaney Shepard, (Sug), was called Home to Her Heavenly Father at:    11:55pm on July 5

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2017.

Anna, is a daughter of God, She is Our Sister and She has lived Her life well, Served Her Heavenly Father and Knows that God Lives. Anna said, “

Every day that we are here on this earth

,

is a precious day

and

we can make the difference in someone else’s life

by

telling them, what we know & how we feel about God

. “

God Lives & Jesus Christ is Our Lord & Savor

.”

“Anna, Has Gone Home,…… Anna,…… We Love You & We Will Always Miss You!”