Agnes Ethelyn Shipman

Agnes Ethelyn Shipman

Agnes Ethelyn Shipman celebrated Christmas with her family Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. That was to be her last celebration of her favorite holiday filled with traditions of Family, Cookies, Homemade Pecan Rolls and Oyster Stew. She passed peacefully at 9:00 pm on December 31^st at the amazing age of 100. She was vital until the last couple of weeks of her life and was lovingly supported by her family, her church and her residence staff including Hospice. She is survived by her children, Jerri Erdmann, Michael Shipman and his wife, Nancy Shipman, her grandchildren Robert Erdmann, Jennifer Bellmire and her husband, Brandon Bellmire, Matthew Shipman, and Alyssa Shipman, and her great grandchildren Alex Cimini and Colton Bellmire. Her husband, Gerald Albert Shipman and her son, Henry (Hank) Carl Shipman preceded her in death.

Agnes was a caregiver all of her life. She cared for her family as they grew up even when her husband was away in the United States Army. She continued to care for her husband as he declined and eventually passed with Alzheimer’s and her handicapped son, Henry, until his death. She was a tireless advocate for the handicapped and volunteered many hours at Noble Center as it became a center of Henry’s life. She was an active church member all of her life and supported 49^th Street Christian Church and 91^st Street Christian Church with good work and fellowship.

She was as sweet as sugar, frugal as are so many Depression Era kids, but generous in so many ways. When I asked her the secret to her long life, she said, “There is no secret. Go to church and follow the Lord. Eat proper food and love. Love is important.” She was an inspiration to us all.

In lieu of Flowers, donations can be made in her name to the Alzheimer’s Association.