Cassie Mae Sheppard Silvis, the much-loved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and Nana, sister, and best friend, passed away peacefully on March 12, 2018.

Cassie Mae was born Oct. 25, 1933, to Mary and Marshall Sheppard in Bellamy, Virginia. She joined older brother, Boyd, and later welcomed a younger sister, Libby.

Cassie Mae graduated from Botetourt High School and received a certificate in accounting from the College of William and Mary. She accepted a job at the Naval Weapons Station.

In 1957, Cassie Mae married Marshall Clark Silvis, whom she met through her brother, Boyd. Clark’s sister, Milly, became another dear sister in Cassie Mae’s circle of love. She and Clark shared 56 years of marriage before he passed away in 2014. 

Cassie Mae and Clark had two children, Mary Elizabeth and Richard. Once the children were in school, Cassie Mae began substituting in Gloucester schools until she accepted a position in the high school counseling department. 

Throughout Cassie Mae’s life, her relationship with God and pleasure in singing were always important. She sang first in Bellamy’s church at age three, and went on to serve in music, children’s and youth ministries, outreach ministries, and the administrative board. When she and Clark started spending winters in Florida, she was active in music and outreach services there in Leesburg. She had a servant’s heart and loved deeply.

In 2011, when Clark’s health was failing, they moved to Texas to be near both children. After Clark passed, Cassie Mae realized the need for a grief support group at the independent senior complex where she lived. So, very Cassie Mae-like, she started one and later held Bible studies in her apartment.

She was an inspiration to her family, which gradually expanded to include six grandchildren and six great-grands. Mary had married Charlie Sanders. Their three sons, Jared and wife Dawn, Jason and wife Christina, and Judson visited with their grandmother, and blessed her with six great-grands. Jared’s two boys, Jackson and Cash, were the last two to entertain their Nana before she slept deeply. Rick had married Cheryl, and their two daughters, Nikki and Jessie, from Alabama drove to Texas to enjoy a precious last visit with their grandmother.

Cassie Mae was preceded in death by her husband, both parents, her brother, two nephews, three brothers-in-law, and two sisters-in-law. She leaves a beautiful legacy of love and faith to her family and sweet fellowships in Virginia, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Texas.

The Silvis-Sheppard-Sanders Family would like to thank their compassionate friends in these states and many other states, plus in Canada and China. Special thanks go to her favorite nurse, Donnie, and those who tenderly ministered to her at Champions Cove, including friends, Vitas Hospice, and Acapella Home Health Caregivers. Thank you to Andrews Funeral Home for hosting Cassie Mae’s celebration of life, and for the love from her home church members at Bellamy United Methodist Church.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 12-2 p.m. Saturday, March 17, 2018, with a Celebration of life starting at 2 o’clock. Burial will be at Bellamy Memorial Cemetery. 

Andrews Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of arrangements.