Obituary of Alfred Leon Shepherd

ALFRED L. SHEPHERD was born on July 18, 1943 to a preacher, carpenter, painter, and electrician named Arthur Leonard Shepherd and his wife Clara Bowman Shepherd in Brooklyn, New York. He was the 8th child of nine children born to Arthur and Clara in a very loving family environment on Patchen Ave, Brooklyn New York. He attended Fourteen Holy Martyrs School; a Catholic elementary school and then the family was relocated to Halsey Street, Brooklyn, NY. He graduated from John F. Kennedy High School. Even as a young adult, Alfred was a dedicated hard worker mimicking his father’s work ethic by serving his neighborhood, learning carpentry and painting from his Dad. He worked side jobs painting for Church of the Fourteen Holy Martyrs, a Roman Catholic Church where he developed a great report with its clergy. He was very involved in biblical studies and close to the priests of the church so much so they wanted him to consider priesthood. His parents instilled in him a passion for community, civil consciousness and justice for all that lead him to social activism marching with Dr. King and an inquisitiveness to know Malcolm X. Interestingly enough he had many Italian and Jewish friends out of his experience as a butcher over 40 plus years cutting Kosher for many families of neighboring synagogues. During the course of his young adult life he met Annie Jean Hodges who became his wife on September 5, 1964. As a family man, Alfred enjoyed playing the congas, music with his siblings, baseball games and travelling abroad to Africa, Spain, Caribbean and ultimately making his pilgrimage to Israel. Out of this love union Alfred and Annie decided they wanted to pursue a deeper relationship with Christ and transitioned from Catholicism to Pentecostal Holiness and planted themselves under the spiritual guidance of Bishop Frank Otha White of Little Zion Church of God in Christ in 1970 which then became Zion Cathedral Church of God in Christ. Their love for being fed the word of God and loyalty to the Shepherd of the house, Bishop Frank Otha White and Dr. Juliet White inspired them to serve in their respective functions. Alfred became Chairman of the Deacon Board and collectively served as a Deacon 40 plus years. He always had a call on his life carrying a pure anointing. A great man of faith. He loved bringing God’s word forth with Holy Ghost power! He was known for having healing hands. A true prophet of God. Many will say he also carried the anointment of LOVE. Love was his personified signature that left an indelible mark on the hearts of many who experienced his anointing, his infectious smile and his often-witnessed comedic relief as a righteous man of God. He became a recipient of The Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award under the Obama Administration as we know Alfred was a consummate independent thinker. Just as Alfred served faithfully unto God and the Church; So did he also serve as a Volunteer Fire Fighter with The Roosevelt Fire Department more than 25+ years under the direction of Roosevelt Fire District Board of Fire Commissioners. He served under the EMT Fire Police Unit along with Treasury Assignments. Not only has he brought souls into the Kingdom of God; he has saved souls from untimely deaths in fire hazardous circumstances. So many loved ones he co-labored with giving back to his community. He often said it’s an honor to serve RFD keeping his neighborhood safe. He was also honored to see in his moment of critical crisis Commissioner Hector B. Tyler, Commissioner Pamela Williams, Chief Derrick Fennell and the RFD Team at his side in that life or death situation. He shared it meant the world to him as tears fell from his eyes. He made sure donuts were delivered to Roosevelt Fire Department as he wanted them to remember him in the sweetness of the day. Alfred is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Mother Annie J. Shepherd, his four biological children, Apostle, Dr. Angela Shepherd, Angus Lamont Shepherd, Alicia Tameka Shepherd, Aishia LaChartia Shepherd and his 2nd Son adopted into his heart, Christopher Allen Drew; his sister Clara Sicard and brother Cyril Shepherd; grandchildren Brianna Kirkpatrick, Anne Shepherd, Sanay Shepherd and great grand, Eli Shepherd. He also leaves to cherish his memory many nieces and nephews, and great nieces & nephews but to name a few of his closest Cecelia Humphrey, Debra Coleman, Rachel Hugie, Carolyn Domingo, Shelly Domingo, Tonni Sicard, and Phyllis Shepherd, whom he’s had a major role in their lives and certainly love reciprocated back. To His Church Family; there are too many names to mention as he honored those relationships most preciously. He said he was happy to be in the Army of the Lord. So many close friends he fellowshipped with through the years serving as A Believer, A Deacon and Appointed Chairman of the Deacon Board. He had undying love and respect for Bishop Frank Otha White and his entire family. He prayed and covered Bishop Frank Anthone White as he took the helm and carried his father’s mantle. His scripture… “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. – 1 Timothy 1:12 MY BELOVED…. Words cannot express my love and appreciation for your heart towards me and your dedication and devotion unto our family. You were always thoughtful from day one of our courtship. You always had a plan. You found ways to be in my company. You won over my mother and bought her the best meats for her dinner table consistently You even cared for my Aunt Hertha; a tuff cookie, keeping up her property and completing chores to express your affection towards me. We decided to become one in Holy Matrimony and to live our dreams! I loved you for your kindness and your ability to make me laugh. I saw that you were a hard worker, dedicated and loyal. Not to mention such a handsome man… easy on my eyes! You kept me well. We loved on our families. We loved to dance. We were creative in those days. We knew how to make money and stretch a dollar. We brought our home on Long Island, a milestone for us. We travelled extensively loving life. You allowed me to be who I wanted to be and in love with you I was free. You even let me pursue my passions as a radio announcer. You agreed with me and I agreed with you on most things. When God began knocking at my heartstrings you didn’t interfere. Though you didn’t understand my soul wanting to know God on a deeper level you stayed jovial and happy loving and partying as we did. And I wanted the same passion to overtake you and so I prayed without ceasing until that faithful day when you gave your life to Christ. Then God blessed us to receive His Holy Spirit and we embarked on a new journey together. You gave me Angela, Angus and then Alicia and Aishia; all I am godly proud of and look forward to see them become what you’ve spoken over them. I do believe they are grateful and cherish many precious memories. You nurtured our babies through a period where my life was hanging in the balance. You forbid death from having its way and moved in your healing mantle and Father God restored me, restored my life. You took care of my Mother and her husband and many within our family. You had a heart for foster children in the system and tried to right the many wrongs of their experiences. You had one you worked to save, our Christopher Allen Drew whom we loved as our own. You believed what you instilled would seed and by and by all the children would glean from what you poured in and be productive in their lives. When affliction hit I cried so many nights for I didn’t understand how such a honorable righteous man of God could endure multiple health issues and sufferings. Yet you remained humble and loved me and your family through it all. Surely you earned your crown. I salute you my beloved husband, my earthly king. Though I will never get over you and miss you deeply and can’t imagine life without your physical presence… I know you are watching over me, over our children, over our grand and great grandchildren from Heaven and your eternal home. Love You ALWAYS! -- Jeana