The Rev. Scarlet Clark Shepperd was remembered during the annual Mississippi Conference of the United Methodist Church, which was June 5-8 in Jackson.
A Service of Thanksgiving and Remembrance was held during the convention to honor clergy and clergy spouses who passed away during the prior year.
Scarlet Shepperd was born Jan. 18, 1968, to Charles and Mary Jane Clark of Louisville. After living for many years with lupus, she was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer just weeks before her death in 2018. She was welcomed into the arms of her heavenly father on Nov. 16 at 50 years of age. She was lovingly laid to rest at Flower Ridge United Methodist Church Cemetery in Louisville alongside her many family and friends who have gone before.
She is survived by her husband, Tim Shepperd, who, along with her children and family, faithfully cared for her until her death. She felt that her most important calling was that of being a mother to her three children: Rebekah Daniels, married to Quinn Daniels; Jonathan Crocker; and Taylor Johns, married to Josh Johns.
Her grandchildren, who brought joy, light and laughter to her life include Peyton, Kase and Scarlett Jane Daniels, and Everly and Owen Johns. She also leaves a sister, Beth Clark Woodcock, married to Jason Woodcock, and two nieces, Jess and Ellen Woodcock.
The Rev. Dr. Embra Jackson, the district superintendent, delivered the sermon during the Service of Thanksgiving and Remembrance. He reflected on Scarlet's unyielding dedication to her church and her ministry, a ministry which began long before she was actually called to formal education.
Strong Foundation
Scarlet had a loving and compassionate spirit. As a pastor, she was known for her thoughtful and beautiful sermons and her genuine love for her church members.
This love had a strong foundation that began early in her life. Scarlet attended Winston Academy, where she excelled in academics and service. She attended Flower Ridge United Methodist Church, her second home growing up.
Within those walls, she learned the words to the old hymns. She learned that the Bible holds the answers to her questions. She learned that God's love is eternal and unchanging. She learned that we are God's hands in this world and need to treat one another with dignity, love and compassion.
She lived just a few yards from the church, which lended itself well to being involved in everything happening at the church. If the lights were on, Scarlet was there.
She quickly grew into a leader in the youth group, organizing fundraisers, church services, service projects and co-organizing the live Nativity, which is still a large event for the community.
Scarlet was a talented musician. She became the church organist as a teen. She played alongside her mother on piano, father on guitar, and sister on flute for countless services and events throughout her entire teen and adult life.
Maben, LaGrange
Scarlet heard God's call into the ministry at a young age but was unable to answer that call immediately. However, God's path is steady. Life's twists and turns eventually led her to the pulpit through the urging and mentoring of her pastor, the Rev. Larry Haggard, the support of her family and the course of study at Millsaps College.
She dedicated herself to serving her first churches in Maben and LaGrange for nine years, all the while fighting her chronic lupus.
She was blessed with many parishioners who loved and supported her in this first appointment. In 2018, she was appointed as interim and subsequently permanent minister to Ackerman United Methodist Church.
She faithfully served her church until later that year, when her illness progressed to a point where she was physically unable to stand in the pulpit or call upon her church members. However, Scarlet was a talented writer and when her illness took her ability to preach from the pulpit, she continued to write letters and messages of God's love that her family will forever cherish.
Worked Tirelessly
Scarlet's varied interests in life showed just how much she loved all of God's creation. She wanted to experience every good thing God created. She loved to travel, and she loved to have a comforting home waiting for her return.
She loved the serenity of the mountains and the grandeur of the beach. She loved the festivities of the holidays and the simplicity of the common days spent swinging on her front porch with her family, her dog and some sweet tea. She loved the young and the old.
The best way to describe Scarlet is that she worked to lead a life in the image of Jesus. She worked tirelessly, sacrificing her comfort despite her health issues to minister to others.
Like Jesus, she had a particular gift for loving and giving worth to those whom the world considered worthless. She loved the sick, the friendless and the needy. In the end, she simply loved and was loved. Thanks be to God for the life of the Rev. Scarlet Clark Shepherd.
