Essie M. Shepherd, 88, of Philadelphia, longtime postal service worker, business owner, and real estate agent, died Saturday, Jan. 28, of complications from kidney disease at Saunders House assisted living center in Wynnewood.
The daughter of a church deacon, Mrs. Shepherd was active in her congregation throughout her life. She sang in the youth choir at Bright Hope Baptist Church in North Philadelphia and later attended services at Deliverance Evangelist Church in North Philadelphia and Nothing But The Word Deliverance Church in Florence.The youngest of eight children, Mrs.
Mrs. Shepherd was known for her collection of hats, which she displayed nearly every week at church. She liked to vacation in Wildwood and play pinochle, and folks routinely gathered at her home to sample her cooking, especially the ziti, pig feet, and black-eyed peas.