It is with heavy hearts that the family of Teresa Sheppard announces her peaceful passing in the comfort of her home on August 23, 2025 at the age of 64. Teresa faced pancreatic cancer with positivity and grace for eleven months.

Teresa was born August 2, 1961 to Bud/Budgie and Janet Steele in Manchester, Kentucky which is tucked in the Appalachian Mountains of Clay County. When Teresa was only six months old her parents along with older brother Alonzo moved to Melbourne, FL joining her grandparents Theo and Rosa Garrison and her Aunt Fay and Uncle Blaine Hensley. Soon after their youngest brother Ted Steele was born completing the Steele Family.

Teresa attended Sabel Elementary, Johnson Junior High and Eau Gallie High. She was one of very few selected students for an elite trip to Washington, D.C.. She was a Cheerleader for most of her life, a Deckette, and a member of the Choir. She had a beautiful voice and sang solos and duets. At the 1978 Homecoming Football Game she was crowned as part of the Homecoming Court. Throughout her youth she was involved in church at Harbor City Baptist and First Baptist of Eau Gallie where she was baptized. She graduated Eau Gallie High in 1979.

After high school she set off an on adventure in her little silver Mustang with only a road map and her belongings to attend college at The University of Southern Mississippi. She made the Dixie Darlings Dance team and danced under the lights on the football field during the games!

While home from college on Christmas break her and her and lifelong best friend Cyndi Gray went out dancing at the ABC where she met and fell in love with Curt Sheppard. He turned out to be the love of her life and husband of 39 years. She came home to Melbourne, FL and they were married during a romantic candlelit ceremony at Bowe Gardens Baptist Church. They soon after started their family.

Teresa finished her Bachelors Degree of Business at the University of Central Florida. She took a position as a Computer Programmer for the City of Melbourne, but quickly became a Stay-at-Home Mom once her children Stephanie and Brent were born. Which was undoubtedly her favorite role yet.

While simultaneously being an attentive, patient, and loving mother she went back to college at UCF taking night classes to complete her degree in Early Childhood Education. She received her Teaching Certification for Florida and was a 1st and 2nd grade Teacher with Brevard Public Schools for 30 years and retired at Longleaf Elementary in 2020.

During her retirement bliss, she moved beachside with her husband Curt and was enjoying spending time by the beach, watching sunsets, and taking golf cart rides. She loved going to church with her family on Sundays at First Baptist of Indialantic. She was always looking forward to the next girls trip with the "Ladies of 79".  Her favorite part of life was most definitely spending time with her loved ones which include her husband, children, grandchildren, her mother, and all the amazing people from all chapters of her life that rallied around her this past year. She was the absolute sweetest, honest, kind-hearted, lovely human. She will be incredibly missed, but we will carry her in our hearts everyday and keep her memory alive.

She is survived by her husband Curt Sheppard and their children Stephanie Johnson and Brent Sheppard; her grandchildren Aubree, Carter, Harper, Reid, Theo & Rosie; daughter-in-law Tara Sheppard; son-in-law Bret Johnson; her mother Janet Steele; brother Alonzo Steele

She was preceded in death by her father Bud/Budgie Steele; her brother Ted Steele; her grandparents Theodore Garrison, Rosa Garrison, Katherine Caudill and Gilbert Steele

To honor her, Teresa's Celebration of Life will be held Friday October 3, 2025 at Davis Seawinds Funeral Home in Melbourne, Florida at 7pm.

"We invite you to wear bright, cheerful colors to help us celebrate the beautiful life of Teresa. She would have wanted joy, color, and love all around."

Davis Seawinds Funeral Home in Melbourne, FL is entrusted with arrangements.  On line condolences may be made at www.davisseawinds.com