The congregation of Ben Washington Baptist Church (BWBC) in Irving and the community are mourning the loss of a stalwart leader, Rev. Dr. Joseph R. Sheppard.
Rev. Sheppard was born and raised in Terrell, Texas and was taught the word of God in his Christian home by his father and mother, Rev. & Mrs. Wilburn G. Sheppard. His father was pastor of the Mt. Hebron Baptist Church of Terrell, Texas until his death.
Rev. Sheppard received his call/commission at an early age. He was later licensed on May 30, 1954 at the Bethlehem Baptist Church in Terrell. On June 4, 1956 he received his ordination at the Riverside Baptist Church of Dallas. In April 1961 he began serving the community as full-time pastor at Irving’s Ben Washington Baptist Church.
Under Pastor Sheppard’s leadership, The West Irving Improvement Association (WIIA) was organized in 1963. The WIIA was among the first in the Nation to sponsor a Head Start Program to help prepare children for
Besides having served the BWBC Pastor Sheppard cherishes the memory of eight years (1973-1981) of “Sharing the Faith” on WFAA Channel 8 and the receiving of his doctorate degree from Guadalupe College and Seminary.
Other highlights from his years of service include:
- In 1992, Pastor Sheppard received Irving’s “High Spirited Citizen” Award. In October, 1995 he was awarded Irving’s “Salt & Light Award”
- 2005-2006 Selected as an Honor Member of the Heritage Registry of Who’s Who Edition
- April 25, 2010 Pastor Sheppard was featured with three other local Pastors by the Dallas Morning News Religion Section titled “Living Legends”
- October 16, 2010 NAACP “Clergy of the Year Award”
- April 16, 2011 Pastor Sheppard was recognized at the “Tenth Unsung Heroes Luncheon Honoring Men of Valor” by ETA PHI Beta Sorority, Inc. Epsilon Chapter
- May 19, 2011 joint recognition from the Boy Scouts & Gideons at their breakfast in Irving, TX.
His work throughout the Christian community at large included Rev. Sheppard serving as a member of the hierarchy of associational leadership including the National Missionary Baptist Convention of America, Inc., a member of the Baptist Training Union Board of the Missionary Baptist General Convention of Texas, Emeritus 1st Vice Moderator of the Fellowship District Association and the Irving Ministerial Association. Elected and served as Treasury of the North Zone Branch of the Missionary Baptist Convention of Texas.
Rev. Sheppard was born on Jul. 5, 1935 and died on Jan. 14, 2013. His wake (visitation), funeral, funeral services and interment location and times are scheduled below:
WAKE (visitation): Friday, Jan. 18, 2013; 7 – 9 p.m.
Ben Washington Baptist Church
3901 Frisco Ave, Irving TX 75061
972-790-8421
FUNERAL: Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013 at 12 noon
Calvary Church
J. Don George, Pastor
4401 North State Highway 161
Irving, TX 75038
972-261-1919
Heavenly Gate Funeral Services
702 Gatewood Drive
Garland, TX 75043
972-240-2121
Interment at Laurel Land Memorial Park
6000 S. R. L Thornton Frwy
Dallas, TX 75232
214- 371- 1336
