McWillie, Oklahoma - Helen Carole Cronin Shepard was born on May 17, 1928, on the family farm southeast of Helena to Jess and Ruby Clark Cronin. She grew up there alongside her siblings: Norma Ruth, Roger Lee, and Ruby Eileen.

Carole was a student at Pleasant Ridge 102, a one-room country school southeast of Helena. After completing the eighth grade, she attended Helena High School, graduating with the Class of 1944.

During her school years, she met Lowell Oliver Shepard, whom she later married on May 9, 1947, at the First Baptist Church in Helena.

Together, Carole and Lowell made their home southeast of McWillie, where she embraced the role of a farmer's wife. To their union, five children were born: Lynn Dean, David Lowell, Virginia Sue, Deborah Ann, and Diana Jean.

Life on the farm was Carole's joy. She spent her days milking cows, bottle-feeding calves and lambs, driving wheat trucks, raising gardens from God's earth, and canning vegetables, especially gallons of dill pickles and sweet pickles. She was known for her homemade cinnamon rolls and chicken noodles, often preparing meals for harvest and taking them to the field. She had a big soft spot in her heart for babies, holding them and loving on them any chance she got.

As a young teenager, Carole accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and was baptized at the Helena First Baptist Church. She was an active member for many years, serving as a primary Sunday School teacher, singing in the choir, and caring for countless infants in the nursery. She was instrumental in sending her children, some grandchildren, great-grandsons, and many other teens to Falls Creek Baptist Youth Camp. Later, she became a member of the Helena First Christian Church.

Carole enjoyed camping, boating, and fishing at Great Salt Plains Lake. Though she worked briefly at Hoyt's Store, Helena Pharmacy, and C&C Grocery, her heart was always drawn back to her home and life on the farm.

Those left to cherish her memory include her daughter-in-law, Donna Shepard; her son, David Shepard and wife, Linda; daughter, Virginia Powell and husband, Vernon; daughter, Deborah Slovacek and husband, Vernon; daughter, Diana Gray and late husband Melvin Gray; and sister, Ruby Eileen Capps.

Carole was blessed with many grandchildren: Jason Shepard and wife Telena, Leisa Shepard, Lynn Shepard Jr. and wife Onaisis, Jordan Shepard, Alex Shepard, Dustin Shepard and wife Monica, Sunny Shepard and wife Missy, Daisy Shepherd and husband Shawn, Michael Ross and wife Tru, Gena Kirkham and husband Tim, Nathan Ross and wife Javon, Justin Slovacek and wife Gina, Tasha Pierce and husband Kale, Tanner Slovacek and wife Rebecca, Shauna Gray and husband Robbie, Jesse Ryel and wife Adrian, Jacob Ryel and wife Krista, Molly Ryel, Seth Gray and wife Taelyn, Wyatt Gray and fiancée Taylor. She was further blessed with great-grandchildren too numerous to name, as well as several great-great-grandchildren.

Carole is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lowell; son, Lynn Sr.; great-grandson, Hayden Ryel; brother, Roger Lee Cronin; sister, Norma Ruth Adkisson.

Funeral service for Carole will be Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. at the Timberlake Fellowship Church in Helena. Burial will follow in Good Hope Cemetery. Viewing will be Monday, May 19, 2025, at Lanman Funeral Home, Inc. in Helena from 10:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. with the family present from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Arrangements are by Lanman Funeral Home, Inc., of Helena, www.lanmanfuneralhome.com.

Memorials may be made to Fairview Fellowship Home - Craft Fund.