Brenda Barker Shepherd Nanney

Brenda Barker Shepherd Nanney died peacefully in her sleep on January 10th, 2017. She is remembered as being a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and teacher. Brenda Ann Barker was born to Dorothy and Dr. Virgil Barker on August 11th, 1951 in Paducah, Kentucky. After her father came to Fulton to open a chiropractic office, she attended elementary school at both Terry Norman and Carr Elementary. After graduating from Fulton High School in 1969, Brenda attended The University of Tennessee at Martin where she majored in elementary education. Brenda married John Shepherd in 1970. In 1973
she was hired by the Fulton City Board of Education to teach Kindergarten at Carr Elementary. She also taught 2nd and 4th grades during her 32 years with the school system and even substituted occasionally until 2004.

Brenda and John Shepherd had two beautiful daughters, Ann Catherine
and Laura Elizabeth and she was a loving grandmother to quadruplets,
Charles Shepherd, Laura Frances, Mary Carter, and Elizabeth Grace Rice,
whose parents are Ann and Chuck Rice, and Anna Elizabeth and Catherine
Palmer Blane, the daughters of Laura and John Blane. Bebe, as she was
affectionately called by her grandchildren, loved to dress those precious grandchildren just as she had beautifully dressed her own daughters. She was known to be a gifted artist, especially with needle and thread. Whether she was smocking those beautiful dresses or doing beautiful crewel embroidery, Brenda had an eye for color and design.
She was also a fashionable dresser herself and was known to be a fabulous cook.

In 1989 Brenda married Tom Nanney and became the step-mother to John
Thomas and Bradley McBride Nanney. Brenda and Tom were blessed with
12 years of marriage until he passed away in 2001. They were especially thankful for the loving relationship between the four children in their blended family. After Tom's death in 2005, Brenda spent time with both Laura and Ann, babysitting and enjoying grandchildren and grandpups. The girls say she insisted
on ironing for the grandchildren just as she had done for them in years past.

Brenda will be missed by many friends and family members who called on her often to share her sense of style and grace.



Memorial services will be held at 10AM Saturday at the First United Methodist Church in Fulton. There will be no visitation held and friends are asked to meet at the church at the hour of service.

Memorials may be made to Alzheimer's Association, Greater Kentucky and Southern Indiana Chapter, Kaden Tower, 6100 Dutchmans LN STE 401, Louisville, KY 40205-3284 Or First Methodist Church in Hopkinsville, 1305 S. Main Street, Hopkinsville, KY 42240.