Luther Shepherd, age 73, of Totz, KY, formerly of Lynch, passed away at the Greg and Noreen Wells Hospice Care Center in Hazard, KY, on Friday, December 30, 2022, surrounded by his family.

Luther was born on January 10, 1949, in Delphia, KY to Bentley and Mary Smith Shepherd. He graduated from Cumberland High School and then acquired his mechanic license and worked as a mechanic for over fifteen years. He then took a job working for U.S. Steel/Arch Mineral and worked as a miner for eighteen years until he was injured in a mining accident. Once his time working in the mines was over, Luther and his wife, Margaret, found themselves called to the mission field and became missionaries with the mission organization 'Friends in Action'. They traveled to Africa and Mexico several times combining their love for Jesus Christ and their love for people. Luther had a great love for his Lord and was always quick to share his faith with anyone who would listen.

Always one to be on the go, Luther loved to travel. He also enjoyed fishing, mowing grass, tinkering in his workshop…doing repair work and woodworking. He had a great sense of humor, was gentle, humble, generous, and kind.  To know him was to love him.

He cherished family above all earthly things and especially loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. His family loved him dearly, as well, and have wonderful memories with which to hold him close to their hearts until they meet him again.

Luther is preceded in death by his parents, Bentley Shepherd and Mary Smith Shepherd Cornett; an infant son, Jamie Shepherd; and the mother of his first three children, Linda Bailey Shepherd.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Margaret Ann Ballard Shepherd; two children: daughter, Jennifer Newbury and husband, Steven, of Charleston, SC; son, Timothy Shepherd and wife, Olga, of Corbin, KY; three bonus children from his second marriage: Bryan Sergent and wife, Renee, of Wiley, TX; Teresa Turner and husband, Carlos, of Totz, KY; Charles Sergent and wife, Holly, of Yadkinville, NC; a sister, Vicky Wells and husband, Justin, of Totz, KY; two brothers: Enoch Shepherd and wife, Darlene, of Winchester, KY; Virgil Shepherd and wife, Lynn, of Radford, VA; six grandchildren: Jackson, Emily, Julia, LindaGrace, Connor, Joshua; his Central Baptist Church family; a host of extended relatives and many dear friends.

Visitation for Luther will be Sunday, January 1, 2023, at the Tri City Funeral Home from 1:00-2:00pm with the funeral service beginning at 2:00. Reverend Roger Colinger will be officiating.

Tri City Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mr. Luther Shepherd.