CARY SHEPHERD Cary Gooch Shepherd age 71 died Monday, May 18, 2015 at her residence in Columbus. Services will be held Thursday, May 21, 2015 at 2:00 PM at First Baptist Church with Dr. Shawn Parker officiating, burial will follow at Beersheba Cemetery. Visitation will be held Thursday from noon until service time at the church. Cary was born on July 26, 1943 in Columbus, to the late Albert and Catherine Gooch. She guided the New Hope slow pitch team to 18 playoff appearances, 19 division titles, 13 North State crowns, three state runner-up finishes and an amazing 9 state championships. Her fast pitch squads at New Hope had 10 playoff appearance, 4 district crowns, 1 North State title, and 1 state runner-up finish. Overall, her New Hope softball teams had a record of 861-263 with 9 state championships. Under her guidance, New Hope's slow pitch squad the only school to play in all four overall state title games from 1988-1991, and they were the first team to win six consecutive state championships from 1997 to 1995. Coach Shepherd's Lady Trojans tied for fourth for most consecutive wins in National Federation of High School records. She also led a team to the 2005 ASA Slow Pitch National Championship. Her numerous coach of the year honors include the National Federation of High School Coaches (2003), the MHSAA (2003), the MAC (1986first ever MAC softball coach of the year, 1989, 1990, 2002 first ever four-time softball coach of the year), the Jackson Clarion Ledger (2005), and the Columbus Commercial Dispatch (6-time area coach of the year, top ten stories, most wins in girls sports). Shepherd has received resolutions from the Lowndes County Supervisors, School Board, and the Mississippi Legislature. She has served as an All-Star coach in 1987, 1990, 1998 and 2006. 31 of her New Hope slow and fast pitch players were All-Stars with five earning MVP honors. She was a longtime member of MAC, MS Professional Educators, National Federation of Coaches, and MHSAA Softball committees. Her civic and community service includes FCA, Kids With Character softball camp, summer league recreational softball, pee wee basketball, pee wee cheerleaders, and junior high cheerleaders. Numerous teaching honors include math teacher awards, nomination of MUW Alumni of the year, and student teacher coordinator plus service on textbook, handbook, interview and Onward to Excellence committees at New Hope. Above all she was a elementary school math teacher. Cary was a 53 year member of the First Baptist Church in Columbus, and member of Kairos Outside Prison Ministry, North Mississippi Emmaus Community, and international Bible Study Fellowship. Survivors include: Her Husband: Roscoe Shepherd, Columbus MS Daughter: Shelley McGlothin (Chris) Sons: Mike Shepherd (Jennifer) Shay Shepherd Sister: Debra Ross One Brother: Albert Gooch, Jr. Four Grandchildren: Tyler Shepherd Erica Shepherd Rye McGlothin Reed McGlothin The Pallbearers will be: Tyler Shepherd, Rye McGlothin, Wesley Platt, Wayne Ellis, Angie Davidson, and Kathi Coleman The Honorary Pallbearers will be 1982-2007 Lady Trojans Softball Teams In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to: First Baptist Church The Crossing P.O. Box 829 Columbus, MS 39703 Or Palmer Home for Children P.O. Box 746 Columbus, MS 39703.
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