Johnell Martinez Shepard

February 11, 2021

Our beloved Mom, Gma, and friend to so many, Johnell Martinez Shepard, went to be with those she loved in Heaven on February 11,2021. She was preceded in death by her loving parents, John Martinez and Helma Laaks Martinez, and her younger sister, Renea’ Jean Martinez. She leaves behind her children, daughter, Stephanie Shepard Lapp and son-in-law, Jeff Lapp of Corning, NY and son, John Austin Shepard and daughter-in-law, Stacy Leathers Shepard, and her adoring grandchildren, John Cade Shepard and Caylee Anne Shepard of Summerdale, AL, as well as friends from all over. Born in Oroville, CA, as the daughter of an Army serviceman, she traveled throughout Europe as a child while attending elementary school in France and Germany. As a teenager she moved back to the States where she graduated from Enterprise High School, attended Enterprise State Junior College, and finally Troy State University where she graduated with a BA in Education. Soon after graduation, she began her career teaching High School English, German, French and was the Yearbook sponsor. She taught at Moss Point High School in Moss Point, MS, Mobile County High School in Grand Bay, AL, and LeFlore High School in Mobile, AL.Throughout her tenure as a teacher she left an indelible mark on the lives of innumerable students and formed life-long friendships with many of her colleagues. After 34 years of teaching, she retired and became a full-time grandmother, traveling to horse shows with her son, Austin and family, and cheering on all of the cutting horse community. She loved art, listening to all kinds of music, watching movies, and was an avid photographer and reader with a large collection of books and photographs. She loved Alabama football and every Fall counted down the days until her Crimson Tide took to the field and she could yell Roll Tide. She saw the beauty in everything and especially loved horses, her granddogs, sunsets, the Gulf of Mexico, birds, flowers, and angels. She was kind and thoughtful and still believed in the lost art of writing handwritten letters and cards. She loved her family and friends unconditionally and profoundly. She believed in kindness and compassion and gave the gift of her love without expectation. She leaves behind a hole in the hearts of everyone that knew and loved her and who were fortunate enough to be loved so deeply by her, especially her children. Her family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and respiratory therapists that took care of her and held her hand as she bravely fought so hard at Thomas Hospital in Fairhope, AL. There will not be a formal memorial service at this time as Johnell would not want the people she loves to gather and risk getting sick. Her family asks that you love, honor her memory, and remember her by doing something to pay kindness forward, planting a flower or tree, or donating to a charity in her honor to the NCHA Foundation or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Although our precious Mom and Gma is no longer on this Earth, she will live forever in our hearts and as our angel watching over us for the rest of our days.