Remembering Jesse

Contributions to the newly-established Jesse Wood Sheppard Scholarship Fund continue to come in at a steady pace. The fund was established recently to honor the memory of 2009 Patrick County High School graduate Jesse Sheppard and to assist deserving students who exemplify Jesse's many admirable qualities. Jesse, 18, was tragically killed in a June 13th traffic accident as he and two teenaged friends headed home from the beach a week after Jesse's graduation.

WHEO Radio...working in cooperation with Brian Jessup CPA of Stuart...led efforts to establish the scholarship in loving memory of Jesse Sheppard and to assist deserving young people seeking to further their education in the field of music, which was the love of Jesse's life. Jesse was a talented musician who was a member of the Pride of Patrick County, the Patrick County High School Marching Cougars Band, and the PCHS Praise and Worship Team during his high school years and was a member of the bluegrass music group known as The Downtown Boys.

Brian Jessup says an account in Jesse's name will be opened at BB&T Bank, a federal identification number will be sought, and a board of directors will be formed to oversee and administer the scholarship fund. Members of the board of directors of the Jesse Wood Sheppard Scholarship Fund will be Eric Sheppard, Jesse's father; Wendy Wood Sheppard, Jesse's mother; Benny Wood, Jesse's maternal grandfather; Tom Beasley and Dean Goad of Patrick County Communications (WHEO); Lynn Stegall, Patrick County High School Band Director; and Brian Jessup CPA.

Hundreds of dollars have been contributed to the scholarship fund in the first few days of its existence. If you'd like to make a contribution, please mail your tax deductible donations to: WHEO Radio, 3824 Wayside Rd., Stuart, VA 24171 or to Brian Jessup CPA, P.O. Box 1140, Stuart, VA 24171. Checks should be made payable to the Jesse Wood Sheppard Scholarship Fund.

Plans are also in the works to use various recordings of the Downtown Boys made during their apparances at the Historic Star Theater in Stuart, especially those featuring vocals by Jesse, to make a CD of music that will be sold to the public. Proceeds from the CD sales will be applied to the Jesse Wood Sheppard Scholarship Fund.

Thank you very much for your support of this worthwhile project as our community seeks to honor the memory of Jesse Wood Sheppard, a fine young man who touched us so tenderly through his faith in Jesus Christ, his music, his warm radiant personality, his care for others, and his passion for life. Please continue to pray for the strenght and comfort of Jesse's family in their time of bereavement.

God bless you,
Richard