Sheppard, Elbert Overton “Oak”

Elbert Overton “Oak” Sheppard, 87, of McCoy, Va., died on Monday, November 17, 2014, at New River Valley Medical Center.He was born in McCoy, Va., on July 31, 1927, to the late Elbert Thompson and Cora Bell Smith Sheppard and was also preceded in death by his first wife, of 35 years, Dorothy “Tiny” Sheppard, and numerous brothers and sisters.

Oak was a truck driver from the mid 1960s until the early 1990s. Truck driving was his job, but family, farming, and horses were his love. His dream was a “Big Horse Barn” which came true in the mid 1970s.

Oak was a lifetime member of the Centennial Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) where he had served as a Deacon.

He is survived by his loving wife of 26 years, Joyce Bean Sheppard of McCoy; three daughters and sons-in-law, Sharon S. and Richard Shaner of Gloucester, Va., Sheila S. and John E. Hydrick of Edgemoor, S.C., and Angie S. Roberts and Cam Alderman of McCoy; two stepsons, Richard Todd Bean of Floyd, and Michael Damon Bean of Christiansburg; five grandchildren, Mollie Christine Marr, Keith Sheppard Runions, Ashley Christina-Dawn Roberts, Wesley Elbert Roberts, and Madison Bean; two great-grandchildren, Kash Anthony “Oak”land Runions, and Emily Susan Sojka; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be conducted at 1 p.m. on Thursday, November 20, 2014,in the Centennial Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) with the Rev. Zeke Zanatos officiating. Interment will follow in the Centennial Christian Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Long Shop-McCoy Fire and Rescue, P.O. Box 489, McCoy, VA 24111. Friends may call anytime after 2 p.m. on Wednesday evening, November 19, 2014, and the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday evening at the McCoy Funeral Home, 150 Country Club Drive, SW, Blacksburg. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends.

Arrangements by McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg, Va., 540-552-3211.