James Robert "Bobby" Shepard, 78, of Nashville died on Saturday, January 16, 2021 at his home.

Bobby was born in 1943 to the late Robert Bruce "R.B." Shepard and the late Thelma Cater Shepard.  After graduating from the University of Georgia, he began a career as an accountant, working first as a private accountant and then in the woodland and paper industry.  He lived in Rome and Columbus, Georgia before returning home to Nashville after his retirement from MeadWestvaco in 2005.  Bobby loved cooking, bowling, and to tell a good story.  In each place he lived, he was an active member and volunteer in his church.

In his retirement, he was a member of Nashville United Methodist Church, where he enjoyed cooking meals for church activities.  He was an avid supporter of The Caring Place and regular volunteer there.  He put his accountant skills to work budgeting and helping coordinate community food distributions to families and children in need in Berrien County, including the Thanksgiving Manna Food Drop and school backpack ministry.  He treasured the friends he made in these endeavors.

Bobby's greatest joy, however, was his family.  He spent his final days surrounded by the love of his wife, children, grandchildren, and siblings, telling and listening to stories.  He is survived by his wife of 48 years: Joan Hughes Shepard; siblings: Bruce (Iris) Shepard and Karen Shepard of Nashville; children: Joanne (the late Rob) Potter of Alamogordo, NM, Robert Shepard of Nashville, Rebecca Shepard of Decatur, GA; son-in-law: Clint Hill; grandchildren: SrA Matthew Duke, USAF, Robin Hill, and Eyler Hill; and his nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, January 21, at 5:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Lovein Funeral Home with the Rev. Mark Addington officiating.  The service will be broadcast to view online on the Facebook page for Lovein Funeral Home, Inc.  Visitation will take place an hour before the memorial service, at the funeral home.  The family requests that everyone who attends the service or visitation please wear a mask.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to organizations close to Bobby's heart: Second Harvest of South Georgia food bank, The Caring Place, and Nashville United Methodist Church.