Dr. Dorothy "Dotty" (Shepherd) Heady

She was born to the late Malcolm Reece and Virginia Heady Shepherd on December 17, 1946 in LaGrange, Kentucky.

Dotty had an immense love for education; she was a member of the Oldham County High School class of 1964 and was awarded a Physics Scholarship to Western Kentucky University at the age of 14. She graduated from Kentucky School of Mortuary Science in 1966 where she received her Funeral Director and Embalmers certifications. Dotty later went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Sullivan University, two Masters degrees from Webster University in Management and Marketing and a Doctorate from Spalding University in Education Leadership. She worked for Strayer University and Sullivan University from 1995 to current as a Professor; leading and participating in many additional programs and committees over the years.

She worked as a model in her early years for Alex-Adams Modeling Agency; serving as the top hand model for GE. Dotty had an amazing work ethic; serving in many roles over the years at Arch L Heady & Sons Funeral Homes and Leslie-JoAnn Florist in the Highlands. She was an avid entrepreneur; developing business in many fields over many years that took her all over the world.

Dotty was a talented quilter; presenting quilts to such places as the Muhammad Ali Museum, Governor's Mansions, Universities and many Celebrities. She enjoyed needle point, working with beads and even made her own authentic Native American dresses, moccasins, dolls and jewelry.

Dotty was affectionately known as "Dr. Dot" to the members of the LaGrange and Oldham County communities she spent her entire life in; involved in many organizations over the years; but in a 2002 article from Today's Woman she specifically said the LaGrange Public Library changed her life, opening up the world to her. In the same article Dotty shared; "The journey is the important thing, not the end. The people you meet and the things you create are what are important."

She is preceded in death by her son; Chase Manion Ripperdan, and brother; John Malcolm Shepherd.

Left to cherish the memory of Dotty are her sons; Arch "Lee" Heady IV (Heidi), Chris Lee Heady (Molly) and Adam Scott Ripperdan (Sarah), 15 grandchildren; Arch L "Quint" Heady V (Sammie), Connor Joseph Heady (Emily), Julia Grace Sturzebecher (Riley), Anne Marie "Annie" Christian Alexander, Ethan Michael, Brendan Christopher Heady, Zachary Kevin, Nicole Lynn, Amelia Dot, Kara Anne, Darren John, Danielle Rose, Zoey Grace and Lily Jane Ripperdan, great-grandson; Beckett Heady, nephew; Erikk Shepherd, extended family, friends and the Oldham County Community.

A celebration of Dotty's life will be held at Heady-Radcliffe Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 706 W Jefferson St, LaGrange, KY 40031, on Saturday, April 10, 2021 at 1pm with visitation on Friday from 2-8pm and Saturday from 10am until the start of the service at the funeral home.

Please leave your online condolences for the family and your cherished memories of Dotty at www.heady-radcliffefuneralhome.com