Margaret Shepard Thomson

Margaret Jean Shepard Thomson, of Waco, wife, mother, grandmother, and educator died peacefully as the sun rose on April 27, 2026. Margaret was born in Tokyo, Japan on December 11, 1952 to Dr. and Mrs. John (Jean Prince) Shepard. She grew up in Japan where her parents served as Baptist missionaries at Seinan University in Fukuoka.

After graduation from Itazuke Air Force Base High School in 1970, Margaret attended Baylor University graduating in 1973 with a B.A. in Education, Curriculum and Instruction.

Margaret married Basil Thomson in Waco on May 4, 1985, and together they raised three sons. Basil and Margaret loved to garden. This is where she always felt closest to God and His creation. Their shared faith gave strength to their life journey. They enjoyed visiting family members in Texas, Virginia, and Washington state. They were also interested in international, national, local and family history and this led to many wonderful road trips to explore places connected with historic and family events. Margaret was blessed to be able to visit all fifty states, Japan, Thailand, Korea, Israel, Jordan, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, England, France, Germany, Switzerland, and Canada.

Margaret was a passionate believer in the need for strong literacy skills for all children if they are to be equipped for life. Her license plate even said, "Read to Succeed". She began her professional career by teaching in first through fifth grade classes in Aldine, Waco and Midway school districts for fourteen years. During this time, she continued her professional education by earning an M.Ed. in Reading Specialization from the University of Houston and post-graduate studies in Gifted and Talented Education, and in Special Education with a focus on learning disabilities. She was Head of School for Waco Montessori School for four years and completed post-graduate studies in Montessori Theory and Practice. She then began twenty years of teaching in the School of Education at Baylor University. Her commitment to professional development for teachers resulted in forty-seven major conference presentations, professional publications, organizing and hosting fifteen state and national literacy conferences during her time at Baylor. She served in varied leadership roles in literacy organizations including two terms as president of the Texas Association for the Improvement of Reading. Margaret is survived by her loving husband, Basil Thomson, sons, Chris Rowan (Brittany), Matt Rowan (Laurie), and Rob Thomson (Lauren), and grandchildren, Abby, Kate, Ellie, Harper, Finley, Winona and Josie, brothers John, Doug (Lori), and Alan Shepard, seven nieces and nephews, and first cousins Beeg Shepard and Susan Bruster (Tim). She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Mary Carolyn Shepard.

The family wishes to express their deep gratitude to the congregation and staff of First Baptist Church of Waco, the doctors and staff of M.D. Anderson hospital and so many friends who have served as God's hands and feet as they prayed for us and walked by our side in the cancer battle.

She was a member of The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America and the Waco Literary Club.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, May 15, 2026, in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church, Waco. Memorial gifts may be made to the Moody School of Education at Baylor University or to the First Baptist Church of Waco, Texas.

The family invites you to leave a message or share a memory of Margaret on her Tribute Wall at www.WHBfamily.com