PILOT MOUNTAIN — Mrs. Ersell Tilley Sheppard, 90, peacefully went to her Heavenly Home on April 17, 2009. Mrs. Sheppard was born to the late John Franklin and Esther Ring Tilley on April 11, 1919. She was a faithful member of the First Presbyterian Church of Pilot Mountain. She spent her life working by her husband’s side. Mrs. Sheppard supported her husband’s ministry and was a loving and nurturing partner. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother and sister. She was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, the Rev. Lester Sheppard. She was also preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Cheryl Spencer Sheppard; two sons-in-law, R.T. Hunter and James Merritt; a great-grandson, Chase Sheppard Hester; and six brothers, Clarence Tilley, Vance Tilley, Glenn Tilley, Elbert Tilley, Jim Tilley and Bernie Tilley. Mrs. Sheppard leaves to cherish her memory a loving daughter, Patricia Sheppard Merritt of Rural Hall; loving son, Dean Sheppard (Kathryn) of Virginia Beach, Va.; and five devoted grandchildren, Sheila Hester (James) of Belews Creek, Jeff Hunter (Janice) of Kernersville, Amy McPeak (Todd) of Winston-Salem, Meredith Sheppard of New York City and Brad Sheppard of Washington, D.C. Mrs. Sheppard is also survived by five great-grandchildren, Jamie Hester of Belews Creek, Meagan and Michael Hunter of Kernersville and Tanner and Sloane McPeak of Winston-Salem. She is also survived by sisters-in-law, Louise Tilley and Ola Tilley; and numerous nieces and nephews. There will be a celebration of her wonderful life Monday, April 20, 2009, at 2 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Pilot Mountain. The Rev. Kristi Mills Rolison will conduct the service. The family will receive visitors at 1 p.m. prior to the service at the church and other times at 519 W. Main St., Pilot Mountain. Interment will be at Asbury Presbyterian Church cemetery. Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Pilot Mountain in care of Jack Palmer, P.O. Box 1178, Pilot Mountain, NC 27041. Special thanks to the caring nurses in TICU and Acute Care at Forsyth Medical Center.