Obituary of Alta Ruth Shepherd

Alta R. Shepherd, 102, formerly of Clinton St., Clark Mills, passed away Monday, March 16, 2009 at the Martin Luther Nursing Home. She was born in Oriskany on October 26, 1906, the daughter of Fred and Lizzie Hugill Earley. In 1937, she married Walter A. Barr, who died in 1944. Alta entered the WAAC on October 27, 1942 in Boston and her first duty station was in Des Moines. She was commissioned on May 17, 1943 and discharged August 5, 1947 as a Captain. On June 11, 1962 at Church of the Annunciation, Clark Mills, she married Ralph Shepherd. Mr. Shepherd died July 3, 2001. For 63 years, Alta was a dedicated member of the Clark Mills American Legion Post #26. She was a member of Church of the Annunciation, Clark Mills where she was also a member of the Altar Rosary Society and the AARP. She is survived by many nieces and nephews, including Joan Butler of TN and Carol Noble of Verona; her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Jane Horner of Great Valley, NY, Ignatius Shepherd of Clark Mills, Leo Shepherd of Stanwix Heights, Jack and Eileen Shepherd of Kirkland and Gertrude Flint of Westmoreland. She was also predeceased by her brother and sisters, Claude Earley, Hazel Noble and Doris Earley. Funeral services will be held at 10am Friday, March 20, 2009 at Church of the Annunciation, Clark Mills, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Burial will follow in Westmoreland Cemetery. Friends are invited to call Thursday from 4-7pm at Owens-Pavlot & Rogers Funeral Service, Inc., 35 College St., Clinton. Clark Mills American Legion Post #26 will hold services at the funeral home on Thursday at 6:45 pm. Please consider donations to Church of the Annunciation, 7616 East South St., Clinton, NY 13323