Nora Lou (Carter) Shepherd

Nora Lou Carter Shepherd, a faithful servant of the Lord, wife, mother to many, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, entered into her eternal rest in the late evening hours of Tuesday, February 8, 2022.  She was 80 years old when she passed.

Nora was born July 18, 1941, in Church Point, Louisiana to the late Amos Nelams and the late Edith Huckaby Nelams and was raised by her adopted parents, the late R.L. and Lelia Carter.

Nora was single, until at 50 years old she married the love of her life, Thomas L. Shepherd in 1991.  They were married just 6 short years before he passed away on August 20, 1997.

Mrs. Nora was a dedicated servant of the Lord and devoted her life to working in children’s ministries.  She dedicated many years to the New Bethany Home for Girls.  When she married, she and her late husband, Thomas, founded the Faith Ranch Children’s Home.  She had a deep love for young people who came from all walks of life.  Her legacy will live on in the lives of the many young people she ministered to.  She also had a heart for missionaries and ministries at home and abroad including Brazil, Dominican Republic, and the Philippines.  She left behind many dear friends all over the world who will miss her daily prayers and encouragement.

Although Mrs. Nora had no biological children, she was a “mother to many”.  She left behind three “daughters in love”; Melissa Engler (Bert, who she called son), Rebecca Engler (Thommie), and Elizabeth Tomey.  She also left behind eleven grandchildren:  Thommie, Micah, Stephen, Nekoda, Naomi, Joseph, Seth, James, Nicolas, Melea, and Eliana Engler, as well as seven great-grandchildren (who affectionately call her Mawmaw G) Anna, Bert II, Thommie Jr., Montelious, Kenneth, Amos and Roy Engler.  Finally, she left behind her sisters; Betsy Adams, Pearl Brown, Ruby Doucet, Gayle Riviere, Linda Gayler, and Barbara Burns.

She was preceded in death by her adopted parents, R.L. and Lelia Carter, as well as her parents Amos and Edith Nelams; and her brother and sisters Wayne Bihm, Rufus Nelends, Amos Dangler, Nancy Dangler, David Lafleur, Barbara Deshotels, Etta Vannoy.

A gathering of friends and family will meet at Washington County Baptist Tabernacle on February 19, 2022 at 1:00 for a funeral procession to a graveside service held at Lawrenceport Cemetery in Mitchell, Indiana at 2:00.  The address is County Road 480 East Lawrenceport Main Road, Mitchell, Indiana 47446.  We will then return to Washington County Baptist Tabernacle for a memorial service and a meal to follow.