Lola Mae Messer Shepherd, 91, of Franklin, departed this life into God's kingdom on August 18, 2009.

Born in Jackson County, she was the daughter of the late S.C. Messer and Bertha Green Messer. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Perry Shepherd and a son, John Shepherd. Lola was the last remaining sibling in her family. She was a member of Liberty Baptist Church. Lola leaves behind a legacy of love beyond measure. Her life was a shining example of one of God's "special" angels. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

She is survived by her children, Minnie Talley of Ball Ground, GA, Roger (Maxine) of Candler, Robert (Judy), Ray (Barbara), Ken (Shirley), Raymond (LaVerne) and Steve (Glenda) all of Franklin; Betty Tallent (Sam) of Greenville, SC and Jan Yonce (David) of Murphy; 14 grandchildren; 27 great grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; and a "very special" sister, Daphine Green; a host of nieces and nephews, also friends too numerous to name, whom Lola loved and cherished as her "own".

Funeral Service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, August 21, at Liberty Baptist Church. Rev. Wesley Hooper, Rev. Alton Dendy, Rev. Rick Potts, Rev. Andy Cloer and Rev. Steve Reeves will officiate. Burial will be in the Shepherd Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, August 20, at Macon Funeral Home.

Sons will serve as Pallbearers.

Memorial donations can be made to the Shepherd Cemetery Fund, C/O Josephine Jennings, PO Box 781, Franklin, NC 28744 or the Alzheimer's Caregiver Retreat, 125 Hyatt Road, Franklin, NC 28734.

Macon Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.