Thorne “Mayhew” Sheppard Jr.

Sept. 23, 1938 – March 19, 2015

 

Mr. Thorne “Mayhew” Sheppard Jr., age 76, a resident of Durham, and a former resident of Washington, died Thursday, March 19, 2015, at Duke University Medical Center of Durham.

A funeral service will be held 3:30 p.m. Sunday, March 22, 2015, at Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington, officiated by Rev. Jim Reed.  Burial will follow in Asbury United Methodist Church Cemetery.

The family received friends 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, March 21, 2015, at Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington and other times at the home of his sister: Margaret Hudson located at 102 Lake Drive, Macswoods, Washington.

Mr. Mayhew was born in Beaufort County on Sept. 23, 1938, son of the late Thorne Mayhew Sheppard Sr. and the late Margaret Adeline Alligood Sheppard. He was a 1956 graduate of Washington High School and served his country in the U.S. Navy.  Following his military career he attended East Carolina University and North Carolina State University and received a Bachelor’s Degree in both electrical and mechanical engineering.  Mr. Mayhew worked as a manufacturing engineer with Sperry-Honeywell for 20 years before working as a self-employed farmer.  He was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church of Washington and a member of the Pecan Growers Association.

Mr. Mayhew is survived by two sons: Thorne M. Sheppard III and his wife Page, of Creedmoor, and Irving Patrick Sheppard, of Durham; four sisters, Margaret S. Hudson and husband Bob, of Washington, Carolyn S. Erskine and husband Tom, of Stanton, Va., Grace S. Stephenson, of New Bern, and Ada S. Taylor and husband Randy, of Angier; three grandchildren, Tiffany Morgan Sheppard, Kiley Grace Sheppard and Kenady Shae Sheppard; and Mr. Mayhew’s beloved pet Sam.

Online condolences may be offered to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve Mr. Mayhew’s family.