Harlingen - Margaret Helen Parker Shepard, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, passed away at her residence on November 18, 2016. Helen was born on June 11, 1924 in Houston, Texas to Frank G. Parker and Margaret Philips Parker. Helen graduated from Lamar High School in Houston. She attended Mary Baldwin College and in 1946 graduated from the University of Texas at Austin from the school of business.In 1945, she married Robert Ward, a captain in the United States Airforce, and they had two sons Robert and Stephen. Robert Ward passed away in 1953 in an airplane accident. In 1955, she married Frank Shepard, an orthodontist in Harlingen, and they were married for 53 years until his death in 2009. During their marriage, he adopted her two sons as his own, and they added two daughters Beth and Annette to their family. Helen was a member of St. Alban's Episcopal Church where she was a past director of the Altar Guild, a past President of Chapter T PEO, a Renaissance member of the Harlingen Country Club, and for many years a member of Life Begins at 40. She loved her children and her home and liked to travel and play bridge. She was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by her family. She is survived by her son Robert (Anne) Shepard of Harlingen, son Stephen (Suzanne) Shepard of Harlingen, daughter Beth Stewart of Round Top, daughter Annette (Jon) Bender of Dallas, grandchildren Susan Shepard, Margaret Shepard Bellows, Carl and Brian Shepard, Meg Stewart, Parker Bender, Michael, Kirk and Brian Ashy, her sister Betty Brackett Lamb, and sister-in-law Jan Shepard. She is also survived by great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and many dear friends.After private burial, a celebration of her life will be held on Monday, November 21, 2016, 3:00 p.m. at St. Alban's Episcopal Church in Harlingen. Honored to serve as pallbearers are Rick Brackett, Tommy Curtis, Bob Hawkins, Pete Moore, Pete Welty, and Bob Wright. Honorary pallbearers will be Frank Boggus, John Ferris, and Dorothy Yarbrough.The family wishes to extend special thanks to Mary, Ashley, Lydia, and Dora for their loving care and concern for Helen. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Alban's Episcopal Church, 1417 East Austin, Harlingen, Texas 78550 or the organization of your choice.You are invited to sign the online guestbook or leave a condolence at www.buckashcraft.com.Arrangements are with Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home.