Norma Owens, daughter of the late Charles Edward Sheppard and Wanda Lucille Burns Sheppard was born on June 29, 1942 in Butler County, Missouri and departed this life on November 13, 2017 at the Monticello House in Jackson, Missouri at the age of 75 years.

Norma was of the Baptist Faith and baptized at an early age.  She graduated from Lone Hill School in Lone Hill, Missouri. Norma work as a river boat cook and retired from American Commercial Barge Lines in 2002.  She enjoyed being with her family, fishing, an occasional trip to the casino and traveling.  Norma never met a stranger and loved to play practical jokes. 

On October 26, 1958 she was united in marriage to C.M. Owens and to this union five daughters were born.  Mr. Owens preceded her in death in 1999.

Survivors include five daughters, Lydia Bohnert (William) of Perryville, Missouri, Lucinda Owens of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, Lorie Williamson of Corning, Arkansas, Lucille Wright (Ronnie) of Scott City, Missouri, and LaDonna Sappington (Gary) of Jackson, Missouri;  by two brothers, Jerry Sheppard of Clarkton, Missouri and Richard Sheppard of Poplar Bluff, Missouri; three sisters, Ruthann Davis of Fairdealing, Missouri, Bonnie Burris and Karen Fowler both of Poplar Bluff, Missouri; also by sixteen grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren.

Besides her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Jimmy Sheppard and Sammy Sheppard; by two sisters, Charlene Marlow and Debbie Sheppard; by one great-grandson, Tayshon David Matthews; also by fur babies Roscoe and Willie.

Funeral services will be conducted on Thursday, November 16, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel in Dexter. 

Memorial may be made to Southeast Hospice or the Alzheimer’s Foundation.