Debra Dean ‘Debbie’ Shipley
Debra Dean “Debbie” Shipley, 73, of rural Villa Ridge, and a former resident of Johnson County, died Thursday afternoon, Dec. 22, at 1:28 p.m. at her residence.
She was born on July 24, 1949, in Peoria. She was the daughter of Delbert Dean and Lillie E. Burke Askew.
On April 6, 1968, Debbie was united in marriage to Brother Jim Shipley at the home of her parents in Marion. He survives.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by her children, Ronnie (his wife Jamie) Shipley of New Boston, Texas, and Robyn (her husband Tim) Mize of Villa Ridge; five grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; her siblings, Mary Ruth (her husband Bob) Zimbelman of Peoria, Linda (her husband Bill) Clay of Johnston City, Mitchell (his wife Georganne) Askew of Houston, Texas, and Lori (her husband Scott) Allen of O’Fallon, Mo.; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a great-granddaughter, Riplee Jo Crouch; and a brother, Jimmy Askew.
She was a homemaker. She had formerly served as an election judge for the Elvira voting precinct in Johnson County. She was also a faithful volunteer worker at the Goreville Ministerial Alliance thrift store.
She had many interests and hobbies, including collecting figurines, cookbooks, antiquing and visiting thrift stores. She especially enjoyed going to Wal-Mart with her grandchildren. She was also an avid St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan.
She was a faithful Christian. She was a member of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church near Pulaski and was formerly a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church east of Buncombe during the 20-plus years that Jim served as pastor.
A service honoring the life of Debbie Shipley was conducted Wednesday, Dec. 28, at 1 p.m. at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna.
Burial was in Pleasant Grove Cemetery near Buncombe.
Memorials can be made to the Epilepsy Foundation of America, 3540 Crain Highway, Suite 675, Bowie, Md. 20716 or online at www.epilepsy.com.
To share a memory or to leave an online message of condolence for her family, visit www.baileyfh.com.
Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna was in charge of arrangements.