Joanne Ralphs Shepherd, 85, adoring mother, great grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on August 18, 2023. She was born on May 25, 1938, in Ogden, Utah to Irene Mortensen Higley and Walter Lee Higley. Following her parents divorce and fathers death, her mother remarried and Joanne was adopted by the only father she knew and loved, Noble Ralphs. Joanne graduated from Ben Lomond High School and attended Henagars Business College. She married the love of her life Rodney F. Shepherd on July 14, 1960. They moved to Ft. Benning, GA, where Rodney was stationed with the Army. A few years later they would start a family back in Ogden. They had six children, five boys, and one girl. They later divorced but remained close friends until he passed. Joanne was a very loving mother and grandmother; she loved her babies and children so much. While homemaking was her passion she did work outside and inside the home. She worked in the High School daycare and had a daycare in her home for years. The IRS is where she created a career and was able to retire from. After her retirement she found a way to be close and interact with kids again by being a crossing guard. Also, at that time she loved to square dance with friends at the Golden Hours Senior Center. If music came on in a room, she always had to dance. Joanne was good at lighting up a room and brought a comforting energy and smile which we all will miss dearly. Joanne loved tending and supporting her grandkids any possible ways through all the years. Family brought so much joy to her life. Joanne was an active member of the LDS Church. She had a strong testimony of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Joanne served many callings. Her true calling was through service. If there was a need, she would find a way in her busy life to take others dinner, homemade cinnamon rolls or or maybe your favorite dessert on your birthday. She volunteered quite often cleaning her church house until her body was no longer able. Doing kind things for others came naturally to Joanne. She thoroughly enjoyed making family and people feel loved. She was preceded in death by her mother Irene, father Noble, life partner Rodney and son Brad. Joanne is survived by her children; Kelly, Kurt, Greg, Darsi, and Chad, grandchildren; Scott (Kallie), Beau, Shanell (Victor), Trisha, Koalby (Haley), Rylee, Ireland, Ledger, Owen. great grandchildren; Parker, Zoey, Gracie, Miley, Alani, Avi, and Walker, sisters; Jane Sorensen, Janice Weaver, brother Jimmy (Judy) Higley. The family would like to give sincere thanks and gratitude to the caregivers from Envision Hospice and the care team from Quail Meadows Assisted Living. You all made our moms last chapter much brighter and comfortable up until her passing. For that we are very grateful and appreciative. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, August 25, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. with a Viewing held on Thursday, August 24, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and 1 hour prior to service on Friday at Leavitts Mortuary 836 36th Street, Ogden, Utah. Interment at Memorial Gardens of the Wasatch. Visitation Thursday, August 24, 2023 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM 836 36th St Utah, Ogden- 84403 Funeral Service Friday, August 25, 2023 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM 836 36th St Utah, Ogden- 84403