Alys Harris Lipscomb's Obituary
Dr. Alys Harris Lipscomb was born July 13, 1915 in Sassafras Ridge, Kentucky to the union of the late Sydney Harris Lipscomb and the late Myrtle Eleanor Pledger Lipscomb. She often laughed and joked about being born in the area while the Robert E. Lee stream boat was whistling around the bend on the Mississippi River upon her arrival. With such humble beginning, she used this life experience to touch many people lives throughout her lifetime. She leaves behind several beloved cousins, Reed Pledger, William Pledger Jr., Robert Pledger, Philip Pledger, Jim Pledger, Ted Pledger, Lane Pledger, Clayton Pledger, Richard Dabney, Phillip Lipscomb, Don Lipscomb, Louis Lipscomb, a cousin-in-law Rebecca Lipscomb and a host of other relatives. Several life-long and devoted friends, Frances Watson Manley of Arlington, Tennessee and Helen Zimmerman of Nashville, Tennessee. A beloved community of friends in the Poplar Grove community in Germantown, Tennessee which includes special friends, Tommy and Phyllis Pollard, Dee Davenport, Peggy White, Susan Stakler, Tommy and Kathy Vaughn, Barbara Starr, Norma McCory, Glen and Sarah Callaway. Beloved and faithful friends Ann Dyer and Pam Magee. A dear friend and colleague, Caby Burns and his wife Betty Burns.She also leaves a devoted caregiver and friend, Dr. Carnita Atwater, whom she often referred to as her “baby.” A former caregiver Mrs. Ora Lee Shaffer who was with her for two years. Part-time caregivers, Sharanda Atwater and Vanessa Ward.Dr. Lipscomb gave her live to Christ at an early age at Union Avenue Baptist Church. While living in Arlington, Tennessee, she attended Gratitude Methodist Church. She was a member of Second Presbyterian Church of Memphis, Tennessee where she grew up in the historical downtown church.She received a Bachelor in Science from University of Tennessee in 1936. She completed her Masters from University of Tennessee in 1944. In 1945, she received her Medical Degree from University of Tennessee. She performed her residency at Cleveland Clinic.She was a life-long member of the American Medical Association, Memphis Medical Society, Tennessee Medical Association, and National Society of Nuclear Medicine. Distinguish Alumni of the University of Tennessee and the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio.Her distinguished career as a college professor and practitioner of medicine began almost 70 years ago as a teacher of clinical chemistry at The Med formerly known as the University Hospital and later named John Gaston Hospital. A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, she pursued her education with a Fellowship in the Department of Physiology, from which she received her Masters degree. She later pursued her M.D. degree, while maintaining a strong interest in Physiology and Metabolic diseases. Following graduation from the UT College of Medicine in 1945, she entered an internship and later a residency in Internal Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. While there she won the Lower Fellowship Thesis Prize.In 1950, Dr. Lipscomb entered private practice in Memphis and became a Diplomat of the American Board of Internal Medicine. Her career as a teacher continued after entering practice when she was appointed to the clinical faculty in the Department of Internal Medicine. She later became the first Head of the Section of Nuclear Medicine in the Department of Radiology and was appointed Associate Clinical Professor of Radiology. She was the University of Tennessee first Director of Nuclear Medicine.Dr. Lipscomb was a member of many distinguished societies including Alpha Omega Alpha, Sigma Xi and was a Fellow in the American College of Physicians. She was a charter member of the American College of Nuclear Physicians and served as the first woman Secretary and President of the American Academy of Internal Medicine. Dr. Lipscomb also served as Chairwoman of the Department of Medicine at Methodist Hospital and was a member of the House of Delegates of the Memphis and Shelby County Medical Society for 12 years.Dr. Lipscomb retired from her practice of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology in 1988 but continued her Nuclear Medicine practice until 1990. She served as the Medical Directorship of the Southern Health Plan of Blue Cross and Blue Shield and as Medical Director of the Methodist Hospital Hospice Agency.In 1991, Dr. Lipscomb received the Methodist Hospital’s Living Legend Award. Blessed with extraordinary intellect and ability, she extended these gifts to her patients, students and colleagues alike. She was a diligent supporter of Girl Scouts of the Mid-South, Methodist Hospital, University of Tennessee, Church Health Center, Wildlife Rescue, Cancer Society, Feed the Children, Memphis Union Mission, MIFA and Memphis Food Bank. She leaves a legacy of being one of the first female physicians in the State of Tennessee in Nuclear Medicine. She expressed and shared a special love for University of Tennessee Nursing Program, Methodist Hospital Hospice, Church Health Center and many other charitable organizations.She had a great love for animals, birds and art. This love for nature lead her to become a lifetime member of the Wildlife Association and the National Humane Society.Special thanks to Dr. Vincent Smith her primary care physician, Lynn his Administrative Assistant and the entire staff at his office for the loving care and support to Dr. Alys Harris Lipscomb.The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Friday, May 23, 2014 at Memorial Park Funeral Home. The service to honor her life will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, May 24 at Memorial Park Funeral Home.
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