Ploman Rudolph Sheppard

On January 16, 2026, Ploman Rudolph Sheppard, known to all as Shep, was called home to Heaven. Born July 13, 1929, in Knight, Louisiana, Shep grew up in the swamps and logging camps along Anacoco Creek during the Great Depression. Those early hardships shaped the strength, grit, and resilience that defined his life. Shep lived by example and shared his stories generously, always teaching lessons through humor and honesty.

On Christmas Eve of 1946, with just seventeen dollars in his pocket, Shep left home and hitchhiked to Port Arthur, Texas. He enlisted in the Merchant Marines, where he served at the end of World War II and proudly traveled the world. During that time, he met Betty Anniboli, and they shared 66 years of marriage. Shep later served in the Korean Conflict and spent his career as a boilermaker in the petrochemical industry. A hardworking man through and through, he also built his family home by hand, where he lived for 55 years. Shep found joy in gardening, fishing, crabbing, woodworking, painting folk art, and raising chickens but his greatest joy was his family, especially his grandchildren.

Shep was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Anniboli Sheppard, and his son, Mike Sheppard (Trevelyn). He is survived by his children Donna Richards (Dan), Kent Sheppard (Joan), Jude Sheppard, and Luci Sheppard (life partner Daryl); along with 11 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.