Frances Elaine Shepler Barksdale, 86

Frances Elaine Shepler Barksdale passed away unexpectedly on July 24, 2022. She was surrounded by family members and her husband of 55 years.

Fran was born in Reynoldsville on Sept. 24, 1935, the seventh child of Homer and Pearl Shepler. She later relocated to Birmingham, Alabama, where she received her Nursing degree from the University of Alabama. She was a practicing nurse before marrying Dr. Larry Houston Barksdale and settling in Talladega, Alabama.

Fran was a devoted Christian and served many positions in the First United Methodist Church of Talladega. She was on city beautification boards and helped run the Red Door Soup Kitchen, also in Talladega. She served on the boards of Citizens Hospital, the Donoho School and Alabama Hospital Auxiliaries. She loved working in the yard, owning and caring for many pets over her lifetime, and knitting prayer shawls with local “Knit-Wit” church groups. She was an avid sports fan and loved pulling for the Alabama Crimson Tide, Atlanta Braves and Carolina Hurricanes. Most of all, Fran loved her family, which includes her husband, two sons and four granddaughters. Fran was able to see three of her four granddaughters graduate from high school before her death.

Fran is survived by her husband, Dr. Larry Houston Barksdale, and sons Todd Houston Barksdale and Allen Larry Barksdale (Ashley). She leaves behind four grandchildren, Emily Barksdale, Caroline Barksdale, Lillian Barksdale and Lauren Barksdale. She is also survived by two siblings, Ray (Loretta) Shepler of Reynoldsville and Lyle (Donna) of Montgomery, Alabama.

She was preceded in death by five siblings, Lee, Doyle, Helen and Melvin Shepler and Margie Miller.

A celebration of her life will be held at Renaissance Funeral Home on Monday, Aug. 1, at 11 a.m. eastern time. The family will receive guests at 10:30 a.m. Renaissance is located at 7615 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, North Carolina.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests you donate to the Presbyterian Home in Talladega, Alabama. You may find them online at www.phfc.org.