Kairi Shepherd

Kairi was born on December 22, 2004, to Jason Oneal Shepherd and Amanda Renee Cruz.  She was 18 years old. She was a 2023 graduate of Haywood High School, and currently, a student at the University of Tennessee at Martin. She was a dedicated member of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority at UTM. She loved cheering and was always outgoing and loving.  She loved without reservation and gave so much to all who knew her.  She loved life, she loved the Lord, she loved her friends and siblings. She will be greatly missed by her friends and loved ones. 

Kairi is survived by her mother, Amanda Cruz (Simon) of Brownsville, TN; her father, Jason Shepherd of Ripley, TN; her brothers, Damon Shepherd and Samuel Shepherd, both of Ripley, TN; her sisters, Chelsea Schlotter (John) of Follansbee, WV, Isabella Cruz of Henning, TN, and Gabriela Cruz of Brownsville, TN;  her maternal grandfather, Doug Wall (Sandra); her maternal great-grandmother, Barbara Torres; her paternal grandparents, Lynn Shepherd and Rhonda Price; her paternal great-grandmother, Lena Mace; her uncle, Joseph Wall, and her aunts, Hollie Ammons and Natalee Nelson.   She was preceded in death by her maternal grandmother, Thias Gentry. 

To honor Kairi they are asking family and friends to wear to her memorial service either sunflowers, because she loved them, or blue for Diabetes.  The family has requested memorials be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116-7023.

All arrangements and services are under the direction of the Lea & Simmons Funeral Home in Brownsville, TN.