Edith Stuart Shepherd

Edith Stuart Shepherd died on Sunday August 9, 2026 at The Cardinal at North Hills in Raleigh, NC, where she was a resident. Born April 16, 1944 in Goldsboro, NC, she was the daughter of William A. Shepherd Jr. and Bertha E. Shepherd. 

She lived most of her life in Goldsboro. Edith received a bachelor's degree in art from East Carolina University and earned a Master's in Landscape Design from N.C. State University. She entered the family business, Shepherd Electric Supply Company, in 1986, serving for a number of years as credit manager, corporate officer, and a member of the board. Upon leaving Goldsboro she lived in Chapel Hill, and eventually settled in Raleigh in May of 2014 where she remained for the rest of her life. She is survived by two sons, William Shepherd Overton and wife Caroline, and Carroll T. Overton III; a grandson, Nathanael Overton; a brother, Daniel B. Shepherd and wife, Carolyn; and a sister, Sarah B. Shepherd and her children William and Sophie McMahan. Also surviving, a stepbrother Dillon Wooten (and family) of Goldsboro. 

Edith was very active in her community, working as a school art teacher, serving on the Downtown Goldsboro Development Commission, and the local board of The Little Bank. She was also proud of her work with the Daughters of the American Revolution (D.A.R.) in the preservation of the Joel Lane Museum House, as well as her work with the Duke Lemur Center. In addition, she and the Shepherd family have been major supporters of Wayne Community College through the Foundation. 

Edith had a wide range of friends in every place she lived, and will be remembered for her keen intelligence, openness and conviviality, generosity, love of animals, appreciation of art and good design, and for her impeccable sense of style. She also was a connoisseur of chocolate.

A memorial service will be announced in the near future.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Edith’s memory to St. Francis Episcopal Church of Goldsboro, the V Foundation for Cancer Research, or your local SPCA or animal shelter.