To view the memorial service on Friday, October 3, 2025, at 12:00pmEST, please use the following link:

https://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/116315

Bryan Sylvester Shepherd, the fourth of five children born to Marion G. Shepherd and Samuel Sylvester Shepherd, entered the world on June 19, 1958, at Portsmouth Naval Hospital in Virginia. He peacefully transitioned on September 24, 2025, in Norfolk, Virginia.

Bryan was a gifted student and scholar. He skipped a grade, advancing from 8th grade at Ruffner Junior High directly to 10th grade at Booker T. Washington High School. After his family moved from Young Park to Wellington Oaks, Bryan transferred to Norview High School, where he continued to excel academically. He was voted "Most Intellectual" and awarded a full academic scholarship to Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. Bryan cherished his Young Park and Wellington Oaks communities and maintained lifelong connections with friends through social media.

Though Bryan was an exceptional athlete, his severe asthma prevented him from playing organized sports in high school. Nevertheless, he became a playpark legend, known for his love of basketball and his willingness to play anytime, anywhere, with anyone. He also discovered a passion for tennis, which became both his lifelong love and his career. Bryan used tennis as a way to share his faith and connect with others.

At Duke University, Bryan thrived. He built lasting friendships, continued playing basketball and tennis, and explored the arts—starring in the play A Soldier's Story and joining the Dance Black ensemble. He graduated with a degree in Mathematics and began his professional career at IBM, where he worked in computing and competed in—and won—IBM tennis tournaments.

Bryan later moved to Georgia, where he married Ann Phillips. From their union came his greatest joy: his daughters, Brianna Nicole and Rana Samone.

In Georgia, Bryan continued working in Information Technology while always making time for tennis. He founded his own business, Bryan's Racquet, where he trained and coached players with passion and joy. His big smile was a familiar sight on tennis courts across the region.

Bryan was deeply involved in the tennis community. He served as a member, volunteer, and board member of ALTA (Atlanta Lawn Tennis Association), and was active in USTA, USPTA, ITA, PTR (formerly USPTR), and GPTA. He was honored multiple times as Independent Professional of the Year and served on the HEAD/PENN Advisory Staff.

Bryan returned to college life as a tennis instructor at Agnes Scott College and coached at several high schools, including Parkview, Tucker, Archer, Arabia Mountain, Greater Atlanta Christian, and Killian Hill Christian. He also worked with summer programs at Primrose School of Five Forks and volunteered with Tennis People, a group supporting players with special needs. He contributed to numerous summer camps, Tennis Against Breast Cancer events, and helped launch the WorldSpan Tennis Tournament.

Bryan's impact on the tennis world is immeasurable. His love for the game lives on through his students, teammates, and even casual park-goers who watched him play, coach, and care deeply.

Above all, Bryan loved his daughters and family with unwavering devotion. He stayed in constant contact through daily texts and countless photos, always sharing his joy and pride.

Bryan's legacy of love and faith continues through his daughters, Rana and Brianna; his siblings Maurice, Marian ("Laine"), Khadijah ("Tootie"), and Lisa; and his nieces and nephews: Kai Smith, Karim Shepherd, Faizah Mixon, Hasani Patterson, Jannat Easter, Jihan Scoon, Ahmad Scoon, and Ky Sylvester Shepherd. He is also survived by 13 great-nieces and nephews, a great-great niece and nephew, all of whom adored their Uncle Bryan.

He will be lovingly remembered by his cousins, extended family, and countless friends. As Bryan would always say:

"Keep Praying and Keep Playing.