Marjorie Phillips Shupard, services updated

Marjorie “Margie” Phillips Shupard, 91, of Rehoboth Beach, passed away peacefully Monday, Jan. 27, 2014, at Kent General Hospital, Dover, following a short illness. She was born Aug. 21, 1922, in Dover,  daughter of the late John S. and Estelle S. (Steffy) Sapp.

Mrs. Shupard dedicated a long time career to the Appoquinimink School District where she worked as a secretary with Redding Middle School. She, alongside her first husband, Richard E. Phillips, owned and maintained a farm located in Middletown, until his death in 1976. She remarried in 1986 to Herbert R. Shupard Sr. and happily retired to Dewey Beach and Marathon, Fla.

Mrs. Shupard proudly served as a charter member of the Odessa Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary. Her church involvement began with Bethesda United Methodist Church, and then most recently with Epworth United Methodist Church in Rehoboth Beach. Mrs. Shupard expressed her dedication to the church through singing in the choir, participating in their card making group, and being a member of the United Methodist Women. The Rehoboth Senior Center Art Group received Mrs. Shupard’s support and creative outlets as she thoroughly enjoyed painting. She also enjoyed playing dominoes with friends.

In addition to her parents and first husband, Mrs. Shupard was preceded in death by her second husband of 22 years, Herbert R. Shupard Sr.; her son-in-law, James Alexander; and eight brothers and sisters. She is survived by her three daughters: Connie Alexander of Middletown, June Ellis and her husband John of Dover, and Melanie Giangrant and her husband John of Onancock, Va.; her stepson Herbert Shupard Jr. of Dewey Beach; five grandchildren: Jeffrey Alexander and his wife Dawn, Jerry Alexander and his wife Donna,Christine Alexander Masino and her husband Joe, Sean Ellis and his wife Deborah and Whitney Ellis Arthur and her husband James; seven great-grandchildren: Todd, Haley, Ethan, Ryan, Ellisyn, Caroline, Aliyah; three stepgrandchildren: Tammy Brandt and her husband JB, Amy Shupard and her husband Chris Capriotti, and Geoffrey Shupard; two stepgreat-grandsons: Jack and Nick; and numerous nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Updated funeral services will be held Tuesday, Feb. 18, at 11 a.m., at Epworth United Methodist Church, 19285 Holland Glade Road, Rehoboth Beach, where friends may visit beginning at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at 2:30 p.m., at Lakeside Cemetery, 558 North State Street, Dover. Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Shupard’s memory to Epworth United Methodist Church.