Darren Christopher Sheppard, 18, died Saturday, Dec. 18, a result of an automobile accident 5.8 miles north of Bell in Gilchrist County.

Sheppard was a 2004 graduate of Branford High School. A classmate, Morgan Walker remembered him fondly as giving the opening prayer at graduation held on Buccaneer field on May 21.

Soon after graduation Darren was married to Kacia Folsom of Mayo, where the couple resided.

He was a construction lab technician from Anderson Columbia. Prior to his marriage, he cooked at Nell’s Restaurant in Branford, where he made many friends. He played football for the Branford Buccaneers.

On Tuesday morning Nell Lewis owner of Nell’s Restaurant at that time reflected back on the approximate two years Darren worked for her. Nell said, ‘I became very close to him. He was a very good employee. I made the punch and groom’s cake for his wedding. It’s like losing a grandson. I’m very sad.”

Other survivors include his parents, Darrell and Lisa Sheppard, Winston, Ga.; his grandparents, Ernest and Syble Sheppard; his father-in-law and mother-in-law Andy and Francene Folsom; his sister, Lindsey Sheppard and his mother Deborah Falgout. He was preceded in death by his grandmother Irene Hamner.

Darren was a member of the Mayo Baptist Church in Mayo.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 21 at Mayo Baptist Church. Interment was in Townsend Cemetery, Bell. Family request memorials be made to Mayo Baptist Church, P. O. Box 87, Mayo, Florida 32066.

Joe P. Burns Funeral Home of Mayo was in charge of all arrangements.