Martin, Barbara Shepherd

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies…but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Barbara Shepherd (Bobbie) Martin, 69 of Narrows, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, September 30th, 2016.

A lifelong resident of Giles County, she was born on July 29th, 1947, and was the daughter of the late James Wesley and Jocell Garnett (Jody) Shrader Shepherd. In addition to her mother and father, she was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 43 years, William Wayne (Bill) Martin.

Bobbie dedicated her life to Christ at a very young age. For many years, Bobbie served as a faithful member of Kathleen Memorial United Methodist Church on Wolf Creek, and was an active member of the Wolf Creek Ruritan Club. A loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, she will be dearly missed by her family and many friends.

Left to cherish her memory are two daughters, Christie Martin Sowers and her husband, Bennett Sowers, III of Narrows, and Cherie Martin Fenne and her husband, William Fenne of Christiansburg; seven grandchildren, Adrienne Sowers and her partner Lindsey Offnick, Jordan Sowers, Cameron Sowers, and Taylor Sowers, and Katelynn Fenne, Billy Fenne, and Abby Fenne; a great-granddaughter, Hayden Offnick; two brothers, Jerry Shepherd and wife Patty of Tennessee, Eddie Shepherd and wife Heida of North Carolina; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and many special friends.

Funeral services will be held Monday, October 3rd, 2016 at 11 AM in the Chapel of Riffe’s Funeral Service in Narrows with Rev. Aaron Atchley officiating. Burial will follow in Birchlawn Burial Park in Pearisburg. The family will receive friends at Riffe’s Funeral Service Sunday from 6 to 8 PM.

The family is being served by Riffe’s Funeral Service in Narrows, (540) 726-2442, and online at riffefuneralservice.com.