Carmi Times Tue May 05, 2009 TEXAS - Joyce Ann "Jodi" Shepard was born Oct. 22, 1972 in Carmi, Ill. to Charles and Nancy Browning. She graduated from Carmi-White County High School in 1990 and earned a degree in criminal justice from Indiana State in 1995. She moved to Houston, Texas shortly after graduating and began her career as a parole officer for the Harris County Courthouse. Jodi's passion in life was to help others, and she helped many in her years of service as parole officer and pre-trial officer. Jodi had unwavering faith in God. She worked diligently to know Him and serve Him. She held leadership positions in her church and used God as a guide throughout her life. Her ability to know when to reach out to others, her desire to give all she had, and her strength and self-worth came from knowing who she was and had a Savior who loved her. Jodi was a nurturing, kind, gentle and loving person. She gave much more than she ever received. Even when others were coming to give service to her, they left feeling as if she had ultimately helped them. She volunteered her time and spent countless hours helping abused children and families. Her laugh was infectious and her friendship priceless. The loss is deep and felt by many. Jodi is survived by her parents, Charles and Nancy Browning, and husband, Marcus Shepard; children, Ashley, Blake and Tyshamera; siblings, Jill Gilmour and Scott (Bobbi) Browning, Sheila (Tom) Headlee, Roger (Beth) Browning; sister-in-law, Amy (Ben) Galley; brother-in-law, Brock (Erin) Shepard; and nieces and nephews, Matt Seigel, Brooke Gilmour, TC Headlee, Cheryl Gillihan, Tyler Browning, Jada, Jack and James Galley, and Bailey and Morgan Shepard. Plans for a future memorial service in Carmi are pending at this time.