G-mother Mary Lou Wiley Martin, was born to her parents, Clark Martin and Lucy Wiley in 1883. She was their first child.. When she was a child, along with her siblings,was baptized at Mt. Moriah AME Church, Omaha.Georgia. She met g-father, William Joseph Shepherd "W.J.", in Omaha,Ga.in their youth. In their teen years, they met at the Moriah Sunday Church Socials. In mid-1900, he joined with a other groups to go to Iowa, to work in the coal-Mines. His group include: Mary Lou, her brother Joe Martin, His mother Frances Evans, his step-father John William Marshall. They arrived in in late 1900's. In 1905, Mary Lou and W.J. (William Joseph ) was married at St. John's AME. Church. Their children: firt child, Willie C. Shepherd, born (1907), he died of Pneumonia a year later. 1909, my father Alfred Franklin Shepherd, Sr.,was born (August, 1909) The family moved to Des Moines. (1927). She beautician. Her shop was located in the family home on on W. 13th St. I remember the chatter, and laughter coming from the Shop. She worked "doing hair" in Buxton. In 1935, attended Poro Beauty School, St. Louis for further training. Mary Lou received a patent to sell her product she called. "hair grower" . She was a Business Women, who loved her work. In May, 1944, G-father Shepherd. His furnerl was held at St. Paul AME Church.(Rev. Boyd). July 7, seven days before my eighth birthday, g-mother Mary Lou Wiley Martin Shepherd died. She is buried along-side my g-father W.J. Shepherd, Glendale Cemetery. Des Moines, Iowa.

Her brother Joe dis not stay in Iowa. She raised her younger brother Theodore Martin along with my fahter unitil graduated Lincolin High School, (Des Moines, IA.). She was a small Business women, member of the Eastern Stars, and active member of St. Paul AME Church. She was very devoted to g-father, W.J. He in May 1944. She followed him in deaht three months later, July 1944. Funeral services At St.Paul AME, Reverend Boyd, pastor.