Margaret Ernestine (Ernie) Shepherd, 93, of Bidville, Ark., passed away Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018, at her home. She was owner/operator of Blue Bird House Cafe and attended Bidville Community Church and Pigeon Creek Freewill Baptist Church. She was born Oct. 6, 1924, in Mill Creek, Ark., to the late Grover and Tennie Elizabeth (Faubus) Gulledge. She was preceded in death by her husband, Calvin C. Shepherd; and two daughters, Margaret Lee Shepherd and Dena Kay Shepherd.
Survivors include three daughters, Lois Wood and husband Willis of Alma, Janet Critchfield of Bidville and Elaine Bowlin and husband Jerry of Bidville; two sons, John (Tonto) Shepherd and wife Beverly of Bidville and Calvin (Moe) Shepherd and wife Pam of Mountainburg; 13 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.
Funeral service will be 1 p.m. Monday at Pigeon Creek Freewill Baptist Church with private family burial at Bidville Cemetery under the direction of Ocker Funeral Home of Alma.
Pallbearers will be grandsons, Marty Wood, John Wood, Tony Jones, Daniel Bowlin, Caleb Bowlin and C. J. Smith.
The family will visit with friends from 3 until 5 p.m. Sunday at Ocker Funeral Home of Alma, 917 E. U.S. 64, Alma.
To place an online tribute please visit www.ockerfuneralhome.com.