Mark Antonio Shepard was born March 6, 1961 in Jacksonville, FL to the parents Willie and Louise Shepard. A special Grandmother Dena Green (All proceeded in him in death). Mark attended local school here in Jacksonville, FL Forest Park Elementary, Ramona Elementary, Moncrief Six Grade Center, graduated from Robert E. Lee Class of 1979, after graduation from high school completed his education at Florida A&M University. Mark in his early years was employed with Barnett Brass, Graybar Electrical Company and until his illness Comcast.

Mark leaves to mourn his siblings, sisters Rhonda Shepard, Cheryl Shepard-McCoy, Brothers Marvin Green and Johnnie Shepard(Willann) and many more relatives and friends.

We are grateful to God for family and friends that have been there through this time and during Mark’s illness. Thanks to St. Catherine, Alexis Robinson, Sheyla Blue, Brad Silas, Lisa Liljestrand, Bruce Williams, Bruce Walker (Marks cousin and best friend) Denette (Meme) Gardner, Jackie McNair, Marilyn Harris, Marilyn Allen, Shirley Blair, Eric, Paul and many more. May God Bless each of you, again we say thank you.

Mark you will be missed so much, as I watched you in life I can say you have taught me so much, because of your love for reading and sharing that love with me I learned to love to read. Through your life the people that you loved you made sure in some special way you showed it, rather it was pouring into their lives, fixing a car, sharing your knowledge about life with them whatever it was you expressed yourself and gave freely. I thank you because even in your illness you showed your strength and fought a good fight, you amazed us and the doctors so many times for so many years. I know I am a better and stronger person because of you. I know there was a lesson for everyone that was close to you to have learned if only they examined the true picture and pray to figure out that lesson, if they don’t already know what it was. Real love just like real life is not perfect and in this life we don’t get the happily ever after in all things but thanks be to God there is a happy ever after if we follow and give our life to our Savior Jesus Christ as I know you did.

I know that sometimes we got on your nerve and your sickness had to have gotten on your nerves but the important lesson to be learned in all of that is that God had the situation all the time. We must learn that real love is powerful stuff, it doesn’t need to be perfect to survive and grow it just need to be….

There is no easy way to say good-bye to you from here but knowing you are sweetly in the arms of our Savior makes it easier. I am so grateful for everything you have shared. Just know that when I think of you, as I so often will it’s the Love, the memories that will come to mind and will always be in my heart. Having you here have brought so many wonderful things into my life and the lives of many. I am filled with gratitude and so blessed to have had you in my life. In closing I pray that the love that you so freely gave will be passed on as a life lesson to people in our lives.

Love you

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