Shepherd, Juanita

Shepherd, Juanita L. "Nita"

Juanita L. "Nita" Shepherd, 89 of Fairborn, passed away on Saturday, December 28, 2024, at Hospice of Dayton. She was born July 28, 1935, in Grayson, Kentucky, where she was raised by her loving "Granny" and "Poppy," the late Dennis and Etta (Burchett) Stephens. Nita graduated from Prichard High School in Grayson, Kentucky where she met her high school sweetheart and husband of 68 years, James G. "Jim" Shepherd. Nita was an avid military spouse, supporting her loving husband throughout his military career in the United States Air Force (USAF) spanning 22 years. Together they traveled to countries around the world; and she would maintain the family home with resilience when he was deployed on overseas assignments, including those long-term tours during the Vietnam wartime era. Attending Modena's College of Beauty Culture, Nita became a licensed cosmetologist and salon manager at Skyway Plaza Beauty Salon and Bonomo Plaza Beauty Salon in Fairborn. She became known for her exceptional hairdressing skills and styling expertise and was highly sought by clients. Nita was baptized in October 1950 and was a longstanding active member of New Beginnings Christian Church, formerly First Church of Christ in Fairborn, Ohio. She also belonged to the Order of the White Shrine Fairborn 62, the Red Hat Society, and the Shooting Stars Square Dance Club. She loved to sew and cook and especially spend time with her family. Together, Nita and her husband loved traveling across the country in their Airstream travel trailer and were Florida snowbirds in the winter. Nita was a strong exuberant wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who was passionate about her family and loved them, in her words "more than you know, to the moon and back." She was a devoted wife and longed to be in Heaven with her loving husband James G. "Jim" Shepherd who proceeded her in death in 2023. She is also proceeded in death by her mother, Ada Stephens and father, Flowron Locke; sister, Evelina McDavid; and brothers, Philip Burton, Elwood Lock, and Richard Lock. Nita is survived by her sisters, Geneva Taggi of Lima, Ohio; Joyce A. Davis of Grayson, Kentucky; Vernetta L. Stephens of Grayson, Kentucky; and Sharon Morrison of Columbia, South Carolina; and brother, Ronald "Ronnie" Burton of Celina, Tennessee. As a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Nita is survived by her daughter, Debora McGillvary, Fairborn; and daughter and son-in-law Robin and Jerry Williams, Beavercreek; grandchildren James (Victoria) Lewis; Rick McGillvary; and Dr. Chelsey M. Williams and husband Dr. Eric J. Lucas; and great-grandchildren, Sophia Lewis and Jackson Lewis; wonderful nieces and nephews, and many other loving family members and friends. Memorial contributions may be made to New Beginnings Christian Church, 7345 Dayton Springfield Road, Enon, Ohio 45323, or Hospice of Dayton. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 10, 2025, from 11:00 am to 12:00 noon at Tobias Funeral Home Beavercreek Chapel, 3970 Dayton-Xenia Road, Beavercreek, Ohio 45432. Services will follow immediately afterward at 12:00 noon in the same location with Senior Minister Steve Sisco officiating. Burial will follow at Byron Cemetery located at 3256 Trebein Road, Fairborn, OH 45324.

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