Nancy Shipley

Mrs. Norman M. Shipley, nee Nancy Pope Stewart Griggs, died peacefully August 4, 2008. She was born in Dawson, Georgia January 26, 1919, the daughter of Daniel Stewart Griggs and Gladys Wooten Griggs Hollingsworth. She graduated from Dawson High School in 1936. She attended Radcliffe College and in 1941 graduated from the University of Georgia where she was a member of the Z Club, Thalian Blackfriars, Alpha Delta Pi sorority and was on the staff of the Pandora, After graduation Mrs. Shipley attended business school in Columbus, Georgia. During that time she met a Connecticut yankee paratrooper. They soon were married, and this Southern lady became an officer’s lady – the wife of a soon to be highly decorated soldier. They relocated to Marietta, Georgia following the end of World War II. In the ensuing years Mrs. Shipley became active in the community. She was a member of the PTA, the Marietta Welfare League (a precursor of the Junior League of Cobb-Marietta) and the Fielding Lewis Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Marietta and the Marietta Country Club. Mrs. Shipley was active for 60 years in the Marietta Town Committee of The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in the State of Georgia. She was twice the Town Committee Chairman and was state Historian as well as state Vice President. Mrs. Shipley also was active for many years as a Rotaryann, supporting her husband who had served as president of the Marietta Rotary Club and as district governor. They provided a home away from home for many of the international students who were brought to Georgia through the Georgia Rotary Student Program. With her contributions to the Georgia Rotary Student Program she has been recognized for achieving the named fund status. She supported her husband in his numerous civic and government responsibilities, both on local and state levels. Mrs. Shipley loved traveling, beginning with her first big trip which was to the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair. She especially enjoyed traveling in Scotland. Going to the beach was one of her favorite destinations, and it was to the beach in June that she made her last trip. Mrs. Shipley’s love for and skill in playing bridge were well know. When she was six years old her father taught her to play this game. She enjoyed it all of her life, last playing bridge in May at the Marietta Country Club. She made many friends over the bridge table, and her life was enriched by doing so. From an early age Mrs. Shipley loved the Georgia Bulldogs. She was a loyal fan and supporter of University of Georgia football. She never stopped believing in her Dawgs ability to win games and enjoyed every victory – some more than others! Mrs. Shipley was quick witted with a wonderful and engaging sense of humor. She was an outgoing woman of faith, feisty, and strong willed. The last five years of her life these qualities helped her fight a long illness. She was straight forward in her speech, seldom being without an opinion. She was a good listener, someone with whom friends shared their troubles, sorrows and joys. She was generous and encouraged people to reach for their dreams. Mrs. Shipley was a skilled writer as primarily manifested in the many cards and letters sent to family members and friends. They were descriptive and humourous, and to have read them was almost the same as having had a conversation with her. As the eldest of fourteen first cousins whom she loved, she was loved and admired by them in return. Her family was very important to her. Mrs. Shipley was proud of and very much loved her three children, her daughter-in-law, her four granddaughters, her grandson-in-law and her great grandson. Mrs. Shipley is survived by her daughters Nancy Livingstone Shipley and Rebecca Shipley Kelly, her son Norman Mercier Shipley, Jr. and daughter-in-law, Claudia Cardno Shipley. She also is survived by granddaughters Kappy Stewart Kelly, Nancy Kelly McReynolds and husband Jared Street McReynolds, Gwynneth Erin Shipley and Jane Terrell Shipley, great grandson Connor Street McReynolds, an aunt, nine first cousins and many other relatives. For her love and life we are grateful and always will remember her. Services will be held Thursday August 7, 2008 at First Presbyterian Church with Dr. Donald R. Esa officiating. Remains will lie in state from 1:00 – 2:00 pm at the church. Visitation will be Wednesday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and the burial at 11:00 a.m. at Fort Benning, GA on Friday. Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home & Crematory will be handling the arrangements.

Nancy Shipley

August 5, 2008