Colleen Mae Shepson

October 25, 1926 – December 22, 2024

Colleen Mae (Johns) Shepson, 98, of Irvona, PA, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, December 22, 2024. She passed peacefully at the Larsen Health Center in Fort Myers, Florida.

Colleen received a Bachelor’s from Geneva College, PA and taught English at Coalport High School for several years. Committed to her calling as a missionary, Colleen attended Alliance University (formerly Nyack College) from 1947-1950 and credits her time there as instrumental in her spiritual formation. She first met her husband, Charles Shepson, in those years preparing for the mission field, but it wasn’t until 48 years later when they retired that the couple reconnected and wed in 1996. They resided at Shell Point Village, where they supported the local community and also traveled extensively most of their 28 years of marriage to minister and encourage others in the faith.

Colleen was affiliated with the Christian and Missionary Alliance and traveled throughout Europe, Central Africa and Asia studying local languages both to mentor local pastors and to bring the Gospel to people in Gabon, Lebanon and Jordan. She completed her masters in Arabic Studies from Wheaton College, IL. and finished her career at Toccoa Bible College in Ga., where she taught missionary studies for nearly a decade.

Colleen leaves 11 nieces and nephews, stepsons Brian (Connie) Shepson and Gary (Pat) Shepson, and grandchildren Stephanie and Steven Shepson. She is preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Marie (Bloom) Johns, Sr., brother Edward (Ginny) Johns, Jr., sisters Bette (Lionel) Walker, Winnie (Bob) Tilkey, and Theo (Domenic) Cusato, and nephew Timothy Stiles. Her beloved husband, Charles, went to be with the Lord on September 16, 2024.

Colleen will be remembered for her gentle spirit, love of family and her devotion and oneness with the Lord. She loved poetry, playing the violin, classical music and was an avid reader of A. W. Tozer, Charles Spurgeon, A. B. Simpson and Oswald Chambers. A prayer warrior and constant encourager, Colleen desired that all would comprehend what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height of the love of Christ for their souls (Eph 3:18).

A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, February 6, 2025, at 1pm at the Shell Point Village Church, Fort Myers, FL. The family wishes to thank the staff at Larsen Health Center for their loving care.