Francis Marion Sheppard Jr. was born 18 September 1859 in Cobden, Illinois the son of Francis Marion Sheppard Sr. and Louisa (Blount) Sheppard. Louisa was born Sept 25, 1835 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and died Sept 13, 1882 in South Pass, Illinois.The 1860 Missouri census shows him as living with his mother Louisa Sheppard during the time of the divorce proceedings in Cape Girardeau, Missouri from Francis Marion Sheppard Sr. On 19 December 1859, Louisa filed for divorce and on 9 December 1863 a final decree is granted. On 23 July 1860 the census records show Louisa Sheppard and son, Francis Marion Sheppard Jr., living with Mary English and her two sons, William, age 24, and Columbus, age 18, in Jackson, Missouri.
Louisa Sheppard and her son Francis Marion Sheppard Jr. went to Cobden, Illinois after the divorce. They are both found in the 1870 census of Union County, Illinois on page 24 lines 31 and 32 living with the William Kirby family.
Francis Marion Sheppard Jr. married Sarah Gorda McCrary on April 15, 1891 in Harrison County, Mississippi.Sarah Gorda McCrary was born 4 November 1870 in Marengo Co, Alabama and died 10 Dec 1945 in Houston, Texas. They had the following children:
I Nell (Maude) Sheppard was born 15 Jan 1892 in Mississippi, died 14 Dec. 1968 in Houston, Texas. She married John Thomas Scott (1892-1963) and had one son John T(1919-1982). II Marion Edward Sheppard was born 18 Jan 1893 in Mississippi and died 13 July 1969 in Houston. He married Noma Novella. They had 2 sons Banord & William. III Ida Louise Sheppard was born 8 Jan 1894 in Ocean Springs,Mississippi. She married Walter Luckett McMeans. She died 11th of April, 1987 in Houston, Texas. They had one son Walter Sheppard McMeans (1929-2012). IV Elizabeth Sheppard was born Mar 1895 in Biloxi, Mississippi.She married Cleveland Pridgen. She died 20th of October, 1968 in Sarasota, Florida. They had one son Glover Cleveland Pridgen Jr (1926-2000) V Charles Albert Sheppard was born 5 Oct 1898 in Biloxi, Mississippi. He married Ruth Josephine Olson. He died Sept 14, 1977 in Houston, Texas. They had 9 children :Francis Marion 1921-1993, Gordon James 1923-2000, Lorraine Rita 1924-2009, Winfred Edward 1926-2005, Earl John 1928-1982, Elmer Eugene 1928-1993, Roy Joseph 1931-1995, Ruth Grace 1933-2004, & Richard Henry 1937-1976. VI Alma Gorda Sheppardborn 21 July 1900 and died 6 Oct 1900. VII James Thad Sheppard was born 11 Nov 1901 in Mississippi. He married Leila Cleo Parks. He died Jan. 15, 1981 in Houston, Texas. They had one son, James Parks Sheppard 1928-1994. VIII Francis R. Sheppard was born 30 Nov 1904 in Tupelo, Mississippi. He was married to a Linda E. He died Aug 23, 1978 in Houston, Texas. IX Helen Sheppard was born 8 June 1906 in Mississippi. She married Frank "Happy" Waugh. Helen died October 19, 1983 in Houston, Texas. X Lillian M. Sheppard was born 10 January,1909 in Wiggins, Mississippi and died 10 May 1997 in Houston, Texas. XI Lucy Sheppard was born 30 April 1913 in Mississippi. She married Donald R. Connally. She died October 29, 1997 in Houston, Texas.
The family moved to the Houston, Texas area at some point. Francis Marion Sheppard Jr. died May 13th, 1935 in Houston, Texas. His wife Sarah Gorda (McCrary) Sheppard died December 10, 1945 in Houston, Texas.
