OBITUARY: Edna Ruth Shepherd

Edna Ruth Shepherd was born to Henry Ramsey and Ethel Smith in Bangs, Texas, and went to be with the Lord on Sept. 9, 2020 in Bakersfield.

Edna Ruth was 78 years old when she passed from this life after suffering from colon cancer complications.

Edna Ruth was the wife of Charles Toy. She was the mother of two children, Madeliene Fontes and Jeff Shepherd. Madeliene is the mother of three children. Adam, Kelley, and Joey. Jeff is the father of two sons, Chase and Jordan. In addition to her husband, children and grandchildren, she is survived by her sister, Geneva Fulton, and brother, Kenneth Ramsey.

Ruth, as she was called, lived a rich and full life that touched, blessed and changed many people during her lifetime because of her love for the Lord, family, church and others with whom she came in contact.

She held a variety of jobs. She worked as an office employee for Houchin Farms, a school bus driver for the Buttonwillow schools and most importantly as the wife and helper of her husband, Boyd Shepherd, as they traveled as evangelists and pastors of The Church of God. At the time of the death of her husband, Boyd Shepherd, she and her husband were pastors of The Church of God in Shafter.

After a number of years following Boyd's passing, Ruth met the pastor, Charles Toy, the pastor of Shafter First Assembly of God, to whom she was married during the month of November in 2015.

From that date until the date of her passing she was the first lady of the Shafter First Assembly of God, where she was loved and adored by the members of that congregation. She was talented in playing the organ and piano, singing solos, leading worship and most importantly being the assistant to her husband in any area or time he needed her.

Ruth will be missed by her husband, her family, church members and many friends and relatives who were blessed as a result of her keen wisdom and knowledge of God's Word. She was a strong and determined child of God. She ministered by phone from her bed in the hospital to members of the congregation who needed to be encouraged and/or prayed for.

Viewing is Wednesday, Sept. 16 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Peters Funeral Home in Shafter. A funeral service will be Thursday, Sept. 17 at 1 p.m. at the First Assembly of God, 150 Elm St., Shafter. A time of food and fellowship will follow the memorial service.