3/19/26 - My sweet, beloved coworker of 23 years at Triad Freightliner / Velocity Truck Centers and most importantly our friend, April Wright Sheppard, has been hospitalized for 2 weeks.

On Tuesday, March 3rd, April was in extreme pain. Her husband, Wayne, took her to the ER where they found a hole in her colon and she had to have emergency surgery. Since then, she has been in critical condition on a ventilator. She is making some progress and fighting hard but has many hurdles to overcome. She continues to fight infection from the hole and other preexisting conditions. She nods or shakes her head when asked questions; she even smiles and waves when her 13-year-old daughter, Melia, comes in.

First off, we are asking for prayers for April’s healing! We are also asking for donations for travel expenses for the 75-mile round trips to the hospital, lost wages and medical expenses not covered by their insurance. Her husband has been out of work for these 2 weeks taking care of April and their daughter, and obviously, we don't know when April will be able to go back to work, which will leave Wayne as the sole provider for the family.

April is dedicated and loyal not only to her job but to her family and friends. I can personally say that she has always been there for me through the good times and bad, whether it was a listening ear, shoulder to cry on, or providing meals after illness/surgeries.

3/24/26 - It is with tremendous sadness I have to turn this GoFundMe into a funeral fundraiser.

April spent 21 days in the hospital. She fought so hard but it was just too much. She slipped away from us around 1 o’clock this morning while her husband Wayne was holding her hand. She never knew a stranger and tried to help all that she knew. Please continue to pray for the Sheppard and Wright family and her friends. She was loved by so so many!!

Please consider helping this very deserving family in their time of need.

Thank you!