Grace Whitaker Shepherd Wireman age 95 of Royalton, Kentucky passed away Wednesday January 07, 2026 at the Salyersville Nursing and Rehab Center in Salyersville, Kentucky. She was born June 20,1930 at Grassy Creek in Magoffin County, Kentucky to the late Will and Maryann Shepherd Whitaker. She was the widow of Chester Wireman, whom she married on August 18, 1971.
Grace was a homemaker, quilter, mail carrier, cook at the John T. Arnett School, a taxi driver, known for the care and dedication she put into her home and her craft. She was also a member of Little Rachel Church.
Aside from her parents and husband Chester, Grace is preceded in death by the following: Sons, Hurshell Shepherd, Clarence Edward “Jake” Shepherd, and Don Shepherd, as well as their father Clarence Shepherd. Siblings, Mae Crum, J.D. Whitaker, Edmond Whitaker, Willie Whitaker Jr., Arthur Whitaker, Nora Howard, Joe Whitaker (infant), and Monroe Whitaker (infant); and her great-grandson, Brandon Adams.
Survivors include her children, Carl Shepherd and wife Della of Hueysville, Kentucky, Larry Kenneth Shepherd and his wife Renee of Salyersville, Kentucky, Dorothy Shepherd Wireman of Gunlock, Kentucky, Phyllis Shepherd Holliday of Salyersville, Kentucky, Ina Mae Risner and husband Aaron of Royalton, Kentucky, and Jewel Wireman of Richmond, Kentucky. One sister, Katie Wireman of North Manchester, Indiana, and daughter-in-law, Glenna Shepherd of Gunlock, Kentucky.
Grace is also survived by her grandchildren: Rodney Shepherd, Carla Shepherd, Jennifer Hale Blevins, Tiffany Shepherd Stout, Andrew Shepherd, Alex Shepherd, Doug Wireman, Brad Wireman, Brian Holliday, Stefanie Adams, Chris Risner, Steve Risner, Mark Risner, Channing Young, Zach Young, and Cheston Young, several great-grandchildren, several great-great grandchildren.
The family extends their sincere gratitude to the staff of the Salyersville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for the care shown to Grace in her final days.
Funeral services for Grace were conducted Monday, January 12, 2026, from the Magoffin County Funeral Home Chapel with Kenneth Bailey officiating. Burial followed in the Chester Wireman Cemetery at Puncheon at Royalton, Kentucky.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Magoffin County Funeral Home.
www.magoffincountyfuneralhome.com
