Rose Mary Shepherd, age 71, of Charleston, passed away at 3:25 p.m. April 23, 2007, at her home. A memorial service honoring and celebrating her life will be held at 1:30 p. m. on Saturday (April 28) at Wesley United Methodist Church, 2206 Fourth Street in Charleston with Pastors Cynthia Jones and Mike Jones officiating. A private entombment will be held at Mound Cemetery in Charleston. There will be no public visitation. Arrangements have been entrusted to Adams Funeral Chapel.
Rose Mary was born December 25, 1935 in Cairo, Illinois, daughter of Lee Roy and Dorothy Rose Peddie McCowen. She is survived by her husband, 3 children, 6 grandchildren, and 1 great grandson, two sisters, one brother, several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded by her parents and a niece.
Rose Mary received her Bachelor of Science in English degree and her masters degree from Southern Illinois University. She received her specialist degree from Eastern Illinois University. Her teaching career began in Edwardsville High School in 1957 and continues to Mattoon High School in 1963. From 1970-1973, she taught in the English Department at Eastern Illinois University, and from 1973 until her retirement in 1994, she was employed at the Regional Office of Education - first as a office employee, then as Assistant Regional superintendent, then as Regional Superintendent of Schools for a six county area. Rose Mary was an integral part in the establishment of the Health Occupations program allowing high school students to explore occupations in the healthcare field. Throughout her career, her quest was to improve the quality of education and services available to each child she encountered.
Rose Mary was a member of numerous professional organizations including The Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools, The Illinois Association of School Administrators, Phi Delta Kappa, The Illinois Women Administrators, the Association of Illinois Rural and small Schools, and the League of Women Voters of Illinois.
She was the recipient of various awards including being named an Outstanding Young Woman of America in 1970, the Phi Delta Kappa Educational Leadership award in 1986, the Point of Excellence Award for Outstanding Service to Education by in 1992, and the Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center's Survivor Day Hero of the Year in 2001.
Rose Mary's commitment to children and education permeated her life. She was an active supporter of Christian education at the Wesley United Methodist Church, faithfully serving in a variety of roles from teacher to church school superintendent. She felt the best way to know and understand God was through the people of God and serving as a Stephen Minister allowed her to reach out to people in need.
Her faith was her rock and her foundation, and as a 24 year breast cancer survivor she gave credit to "Faith, Family, Friends and Fight." Serving as an inspiration to many, Rose Mary remained steadfast in her support of others with an encouraging note - just when it was needed.
She was a celebrated author of "Perky - The Penguin Who didn't Belong," a story that sends a message to children that being different is okay and not everyone is the same. She cherished her role as President of the Friends of the Charleston Carnegie Public Library, which successfully earned the support of the Charleston community in the form of a $7 million dollar expansion project. Her words say it best "I want the kids to have plenty of space when they go to the library. It's all about the children."
Rose Mary firmly believed that "one person can make a difference." Those that knew her know that she has truly exemplified this throughout her life.
Rose Mary was born December 25, 1935 in Cairo, Illinois, daughter of Lee Roy and Dorothy Rose Peddie McCowen. She is survived by her husband, 3 children, 6 grandchildren, and 1 great grandson, two sisters, one brother, several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded by her parents and a niece.
Rose Mary received her Bachelor of Science in English degree and her masters degree from Southern Illinois University. She received her specialist degree from Eastern Illinois University. Her teaching career began in Edwardsville High School in 1957 and continues to Mattoon High School in 1963. From 1970-1973, she taught in the English Department at Eastern Illinois University, and from 1973 until her retirement in 1994, she was employed at the Regional Office of Education - first as a office employee, then as Assistant Regional superintendent, then as Regional Superintendent of Schools for a six county area. Rose Mary was an integral part in the establishment of the Health Occupations program allowing high school students to explore occupations in the healthcare field. Throughout her career, her quest was to improve the quality of education and services available to each child she encountered.
Rose Mary was a member of numerous professional organizations including The Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools, The Illinois Association of School Administrators, Phi Delta Kappa, The Illinois Women Administrators, the Association of Illinois Rural and small Schools, and the League of Women Voters of Illinois.
She was the recipient of various awards including being named an Outstanding Young Woman of America in 1970, the Phi Delta Kappa Educational Leadership award in 1986, the Point of Excellence Award for Outstanding Service to Education by in 1992, and the Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center's Survivor Day Hero of the Year in 2001.
Rose Mary's commitment to children and education permeated her life. She was an active supporter of Christian education at the Wesley United Methodist Church, faithfully serving in a variety of roles from teacher to church school superintendent. She felt the best way to know and understand God was through the people of God and serving as a Stephen Minister allowed her to reach out to people in need.
Her faith was her rock and her foundation, and as a 24 year breast cancer survivor she gave credit to "Faith, Family, Friends and Fight." Serving as an inspiration to many, Rose Mary remained steadfast in her support of others with an encouraging note - just when it was needed.
She was a celebrated author of "Perky - The Penguin Who didn't Belong," a story that sends a message to children that being different is okay and not everyone is the same. She cherished her role as President of the Friends of the Charleston Carnegie Public Library, which successfully earned the support of the Charleston community in the form of a $7 million dollar expansion project. Her words say it best "I want the kids to have plenty of space when they go to the library. It's all about the children."
Rose Mary firmly believed that "one person can make a difference." Those that knew her know that she has truly exemplified this throughout her life.
Rose Mary Shepherd, age 71, of Charleston, passed away at 3:25 p.m. April 23, 2007, at her home. A memorial service honoring and celebrating her life will be held at 1:30 p. m. on Saturday (April 28) at Wesley United Methodist Church, 2206 Fourth Street in Charleston with Pastors Cynthia Jones and Mike Jones officiating. A private entombment will be held at Mound Cemetery in Charleston. There will be no public visitation. Arrangements have been entrusted to Adams Funeral Chapel.
Rose Mary was born December 25, 1935 in Cairo, Illinois, daughter of Lee Roy and Dorothy Rose Peddie McCowen. She is survived by her husband, 3 children, 6 grandchildren, and 1 great grandson, two sisters, one brother, several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded by her parents and a niece.
Rose Mary received her Bachelor of Science in English degree and her masters degree from Southern Illinois University. She received her specialist degree from Eastern Illinois University. Her teaching career began in Edwardsville High School in 1957 and continues to Mattoon High School in 1963. From 1970-1973, she taught in the English Department at Eastern Illinois University, and from 1973 until her retirement in 1994, she was employed at the Regional Office of Education - first as a office employee, then as Assistant Regional superintendent, then as Regional Superintendent of Schools for a six county area. Rose Mary was an integral part in the establishment of the Health Occupations program allowing high school students to explore occupations in the healthcare field. Throughout her career, her quest was to improve the quality of education and services available to each child she encountered.
Rose Mary was a member of numerous professional organizations including The Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools, The Illinois Association of School Administrators, Phi Delta Kappa, The Illinois Women Administrators, the Association of Illinois Rural and small Schools, and the League of Women Voters of Illinois.
She was the recipient of various awards including being named an Outstanding Young Woman of America in 1970, the Phi Delta Kappa Educational Leadership award in 1986, the Point of Excellence Award for Outstanding Service to Education by in 1992, and the Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center's Survivor Day Hero of the Year in 2001.
Rose Mary's commitment to children and education permeated her life. She was an active supporter of Christian education at the Wesley United Methodist Church, faithfully serving in a variety of roles from teacher to church school superintendent. She felt the best way to know and understand God was through the people of God and serving as a Stephen Minister allowed her to reach out to people in need.
Her faith was her rock and her foundation, and as a 24 year breast cancer survivor she gave credit to "Faith, Family, Friends and Fight." Serving as an inspiration to many, Rose Mary remained steadfast in her support of others with an encouraging note - just when it was needed.
She was a celebrated author of "Perky - The Penguin Who didn't Belong," a story that sends a message to children that being different is okay and not everyone is the same. She cherished her role as President of the Friends of the Charleston Carnegie Public Library, which successfully earned the support of the Charleston community in the form of a $7 million dollar expansion project. Her words say it best "I want the kids to have plenty of space when they go to the library. It's all about the children."
Rose Mary firmly believed that "one person can make a difference." Those that knew her know that she has truly exemplified this throughout her life.
Rose Mary was born December 25, 1935 in Cairo, Illinois, daughter of Lee Roy and Dorothy Rose Peddie McCowen. She is survived by her husband, 3 children, 6 grandchildren, and 1 great grandson, two sisters, one brother, several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded by her parents and a niece.
Rose Mary received her Bachelor of Science in English degree and her masters degree from Southern Illinois University. She received her specialist degree from Eastern Illinois University. Her teaching career began in Edwardsville High School in 1957 and continues to Mattoon High School in 1963. From 1970-1973, she taught in the English Department at Eastern Illinois University, and from 1973 until her retirement in 1994, she was employed at the Regional Office of Education - first as a office employee, then as Assistant Regional superintendent, then as Regional Superintendent of Schools for a six county area. Rose Mary was an integral part in the establishment of the Health Occupations program allowing high school students to explore occupations in the healthcare field. Throughout her career, her quest was to improve the quality of education and services available to each child she encountered.
Rose Mary was a member of numerous professional organizations including The Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools, The Illinois Association of School Administrators, Phi Delta Kappa, The Illinois Women Administrators, the Association of Illinois Rural and small Schools, and the League of Women Voters of Illinois.
She was the recipient of various awards including being named an Outstanding Young Woman of America in 1970, the Phi Delta Kappa Educational Leadership award in 1986, the Point of Excellence Award for Outstanding Service to Education by in 1992, and the Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center's Survivor Day Hero of the Year in 2001.
Rose Mary's commitment to children and education permeated her life. She was an active supporter of Christian education at the Wesley United Methodist Church, faithfully serving in a variety of roles from teacher to church school superintendent. She felt the best way to know and understand God was through the people of God and serving as a Stephen Minister allowed her to reach out to people in need.
Her faith was her rock and her foundation, and as a 24 year breast cancer survivor she gave credit to "Faith, Family, Friends and Fight." Serving as an inspiration to many, Rose Mary remained steadfast in her support of others with an encouraging note - just when it was needed.
She was a celebrated author of "Perky - The Penguin Who didn't Belong," a story that sends a message to children that being different is okay and not everyone is the same. She cherished her role as President of the Friends of the Charleston Carnegie Public Library, which successfully earned the support of the Charleston community in the form of a $7 million dollar expansion project. Her words say it best "I want the kids to have plenty of space when they go to the library. It's all about the children."
Rose Mary firmly believed that "one person can make a difference." Those that knew her know that she has truly exemplified this throughout her life.
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