She began as a singer and worked with the BBC before expanding her career into acting appearing on the London stage and television.

[1] In 1944, she was in Colchester appearing in Eugene O'Neill's play All God's Chillun Got Wings with an "all coloured cast" including Earl Cameron, Robert Adams and Elizabeth Jeppe at the Repertory Theatre.

[1] In that year, the BBC revived its television service and Shepley appeared in Black, Brown or Beige.

[1] When the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Flower Drum Song came to the West End, Sheply was cast in the role of the Chinese character, Madame Liang.

[4][better source needed] Her television work included a 1959 version of All God's Chillun Got Wings directed by Joan Kemp-Welch and featuring Lloyd Reckord, Connie Smith and Shepley.