Violet (Butters) Shepherd

Violet (Mavis) Shepherd was born on July 23, 1922 in the Province of Colón, Republic of Panama. She was the daughter of the late Albert Butters and Leonora Smith. Her transition was peaceful on Wednesday, January 22, 2020 when our Heavenly Father called her home at the Benjamin Health Center, 120 Fisher Ave., Boston, MA.

Violet was educated at the Cristobal Colón School in Colón and mentored under the guidance of Agnes Bates Ngui, whom she loved dearly and credited for helping her to become the person she was. She retired from Massachusetts General Hospital after 29 years of service. Throughout her life she cared for her 4 siblings (now deceased) and met their needs unselfishly. She welcomed friends and family who relocated from Panama and allowed them to live with her until they were able to secure jobs and housing for their families. Lovingly known as Mavis to some, was a hard worker and in her younger years would work at times 3 jobs to secure the life she wanted. Always a giver and never a taker and the more she gave, the more the Lord gave back to her.

Violet was a dedicated, faithful member and a Mother of Bethel A.M.E. She loved Pastors Ray and Gloria Hammond and the members of her church dearly.

She leaves to cherish in memory her loving son, Aurelio Whittaker Sr., of Boston, MA; her two grandsons, Aurelio Jr. (his wife Seigi) of Fayetteville, NC and Marcus of Tampa, FL,  great-grandsons Julian Thompson,  Miles,  Jadon and Jonathan Whittaker all of NC; loving goddaughter, Camille Harris of Port Richey, Fl  and a host of nieces and nephews.

The Family of Violet Shepherd thanks each of you for the many acts of kindness and warm caring spirit that was shown toward us during our time of bereavement.

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