Muriel Shepherd

Muriel was born on 25 August 1908 to Arthur and Florence Wood, the second of four children. From the age of seven she developed an interest in music and learnt to play the piano.

The family attended Hither Green Methodist Church. She met Edwin Shepherd, who was to become her husband in 1927, when Edwin lodged with the family during a crusade at which he led the singing. They were married in 1934 and set up home in Buckles Way, Banstead, Surrey. She and Edwin together with her older brother Eric Wood worked together in God's service. In particular they took on the job of the lay pastorate at the West Ham mission. Edwin's day job was a banker - he rose to become chief clerk.

In 1945 Edwin was asked to form a choir for the 50th anniversary of the London Christian Endeavour Federation. The London Endeavour Choir (as it was known) of 200 voices was a great success. Muriel was at the piano with Edwin as the conductor. Although it had been formed for that one occasion it continued, by popular demand, as a regular choir with performances at the Albert Hall and regular Christmas Carol performances at Westminster Central Hall.

In 1953, Edwin and Muriel felt that since the choir was now drawing its membership from and ministering outside the Christian Endeavour movement another name should be chosen. Muriel and Edwin came simultaneously to the same conclusion. The choir should be the London Emmanuel Choir.

Muriel continued to serve at the piano throughout the fifties and the sixties as Edwin developed the work of the choir taking on ever greater challenges and pioneering the development of Christian music in England.

It was while conducting the first night of the choir's carol festival in 1970 that Edwin Shepherd collapsed with a heart attack. He never recovered consciousness and died a few days later. Muriel immediately took on the role of conductor including the remaining four carol concerts and a radio broadcast the following week, Although she had received no formal training in conducting, she could communicate her belief in the words and music to the choir in her own unique way and obtained some remarkable sound from them. She took on this role for nearly 15 years before inviting Robin Littler to take on an ever increasing role in the musical direction of the choir. In 1988 she became the choir President. But she continued to attend all choir concerts until the late 1990s when increasing frailty meant that she could not make the long journeys. She always had a word to say at the concert which would be encouraging, challenging and funny. Who can ever forget the humorous but thought-provoking quotes with which she ended her few words?

To members of the choir down through the years she was the choir mother, or affectionately known as "Mrs S". Not many got to call her Muriel - it didn't seem right somehow. But whether for choir members or those who called on the telephone, whatever time of day or night, she always had time to share and to offer a word of encouragement.

Few people have so amply demonstrated, as effectively as Muriel Shepherd, the words of the apostle, Paul. "For me to live is Christ - to die is gain". While she was on the earth her main purpose was to bring glory to God. Alternatively she would be in the presence of her Lord and once again with her beloved Edwin. It is unlikely that she had any real care about whether she remained or went to be with her Lord. Whatever he wanted would suit her just fine.

She once famously rounded on someone who had expressed their condolences soon after she had lost her husband. "I haven't lost him", she retorted. "I know where he is!" And we know where she is. Her passing is a sadness for us. But for dear Mrs S, a whole new experience is just beginning.