Barbara Gail Shepherd, 74, of Burlington, Kansas, passed away Sunday, February 28, 2021, at the Coffey County Hospital in Burlington.

Barbara was born November 10, 1946, in Kansas City, KS, the daughter of William James "Bill" and Edith Marie (Bland) Thebo.

She grew up in Kansas City and graduated from Washington High School in 1964. She was employed as a secretary at a law firm in downtown Kansas City, KS before moving to Burlington in 1985. She was employed as the Animal Control Officer for the City of Burlington for four months before joining the Burlington Police Department as the first female officer to serve in the department. She worked for the Police Department as a detective until 1997. She was also the first woman to run for the Burlington Mayor Office.

She was baptized in the Catholic Church at the age of 18.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Judith Powell.

She leaves her son, Vladimir James Hesoun, of Burlington, many other relatives and friends.

Family funeral services will be held 1:30 P.M. Thursday, March 4, 2021, at Jones Funeral Home in Burlington. Cremation will follow services and Barbara will be inurned at Baker Cemetery at Burlington.

Memorial contributions may be made to God's Storehouse and may be sent in care of Jones Funeral Home, PO Box 277, Burlington, KS 66839.