Ira Shipp's Obituary
After 96 1/2 years of abundant living, Ira Shipp died peacefully at his home at Emeritus at Oxford on January 21. Born and raised in Red Banks, MS, he played every Sport, especially basketball and baseball throughout high school and junior college. He met his first love while playing tennis (he hit the ball out of play in her direction in order to meet her). He and Elizabeth Cochran wed in Holly Springs on December 12, 1943 and were married for 59 years until her death in 2002. He proudly served in WWII and the Korean War as a First Lieutenant in the Army Corps of Engineers. He worked in insurance as a Certified Life Underwriter, while breeding registered cattle as an expensive hobby. His passion for sports led him to coach church league women’s basketball and softball, taking one team to Japan. He loved to hunt and fish and tried unsuccessfully to pass this passion along to his son and 3 grandsons. He was an avid fan of Tiger basketball, attending all home games for decades. An active church member his entire life, he taught adult bible classes for over 50 years. Several years after Elizabeth’s death, he met Lois Bonds Swaney of Holly Springs, and they were married when he was a young 90 years old. They enjoyed 7 years together living first in Holly Springs, and then Oxford. He loved his family and added her children and their families to his own. He is survived by his children Charles E. Shipp (Nino) of Memphis, Elizabeth S. Nott of Gainesville, GA, Kathryn S. Hughes (Keith) of Bartlett, and Helen Joy Shipp of Cordova; his grandchildren the Rev. Hester S. Mathew (Andy) of Memphis, Dr. Kimberly H. Essary (Jason) of McKenzie, TN, the Rev. Peyton Kyle Hughes (Allison) of Tomball, TX, Charles Cochran Shipp (Julie) and John Roger Note (Michelle) all of Atlanta and 9 great-grandchildren; his loving wife Lois and her children Jorma Lynn, Dr. Walker Swaney (Molissa), and Farrah S. McAlexander (Larry) all of Oxford, Scott Swaney of Los Angeles, Melody S. Golding (Steve) of Vicksburg, and Randall Swaney (Lori) of Memphis; 18 grandchildren, and 22 great-grandchildren. He also leaves a sister Ruth S. Yarbrough (Madison) of Durham, NC and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents Ira Ervin Shipp, Sr. and Frances Vick Shipp of Red Banks, and a brother Lowry Shipp (Ruth) of Memphis. Services will be held at Memorial Park Funeral Home at 10am Saturday, with burial in Hillcrest Cemetery in Holly Springs, followed by a reception at the Marshall County Historical Museum. Instead of flowers please direct any memorials to the Museum, the Church Health Center, or the charity of your choice.
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