Joyce Gaynelle Waters Shepley (age 75), succumbed to heart disease on April 16, 2026 at the Rocky Mountain Care nursing home in Payson Utah. She was surrounded by family who loved her and held their hands during her final hours.
Gaynelle was born January 8, 1951, in Portsmouth, Virginia to William Walter Waters Sr. and Emma Virginia Shippey. She was the loving mother of: Samuel Eleazar Shepley, Edwin Lehi Shepley, Shannon Abish Shepley White, Benjamin Aaron Shepley, and Jacob Spencer Shepley.
She was grandmother to Ian Santiago Shepley, Emilie Ohana Shepley, Brenna Evangelina Shepley. Isaac Nolan Shepley, Luke Asher Shepley, Adelaide Emma Shepley. Ashley Marie White Spriggs, Abby Mae White Agren, Alisha Hannah White, Aubrianna Opal White Rice, Matthew Lyle White, Angeline Gaynelle White, Alexandra Abish White. Lydia Mae Shepley. And great grandmother to Hollynd Kristina Agren-White.
Gaynelle was a homemaker and an avid cook. She had an engaging and unique sense of humor that touched all who met her. She loved to do missionary work, especially meeting new people. Several strangers were turned into life-long family friends due to her strong personality and wit. Her other service in the church included temple worker, seminary teacher; and she attended college to become a FDA food inspector in order to assist the LDS canaries in Illinois.
Gaynelle was preceded in death by her parents; her younger sister Shannon Felicia Waters and older brother William Walter Waters Jr. She is survived by her husband, Samuel Eugene Shepley, and brother Stuart Waters.
A wake was held in her honor on April 19, 2026, and her cremains will be interred with family.
Leave a Condolence