Mary "Marie" Sheppard, 81, passed on Wednesday, December 27th, 2023, with her family at her bedside after a brief battle with cancer. She was born on May 18th, 1942, in Doe Run, Missouri.

Marie is preceded in death by her parents, Virginia and Esta Barnhouse; and her brothers, Norman and Dale Barnhouse. Marie is survived by her sons, Joe A. Walker, Jr (Tammie) and Steven Barnhouse; her brothers, Jerry Barnhouse (Darline), Jim Barnhouse (Rita), Gary Barnhouse (Mary), and Larry Barnhouse; her sister, Dorotha Turner (Ed); and her life partner, Joe A. Walker, Sr.

Marie is also survived by grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and many grandchildren of her heart that knew her as their beloved ReeRee.

Marie grew up in Doe Run with her large family and moved to the Augusta area in the 1960s. She worked for over 35 years at Kroger before her retirement. She said right after her diagnosis that "It had been a good ride", and so it had. Marie loved to go.  She had a passion for camping with her family and friends and was always ready for an adventure. She was an avid reader and could always be counted on to have a good murder mystery book in tow. Her culinary specialties were many but she was known for making incredible macaroni and cheese and potato salad.

She shared many special relationships with her family. Her son JoeJoe and her could go on all day road trips and never leave the city limits. She and her sister Dot were known for getting into anything and everything, including many pairs of matching PJs.  She treated her niece Tina like she had given birth to her, and never let her forget she was older and probably wiser. Mom and PawPaw could always be counted on to provide the entertainment at family gatherings.

She will be remembered for how her giggle box would get turned over, and how infectious laughter would follow. Even in the end when her time was drawing near, she found a way to share laughter with her family and friends from her hospital bed.

Mom will be missed by all that knew her and she will be forever loved.

The family will receive friends for a celebration of life visitation from 3:00 - 5:00pm on Thursday, January 4, 2024, at Thomas L. King Funeral Home, 124 Davis Road, Martinez GA 30907.