Gertha Sneed Shipman, 91, of East Flat Rock, North Carolina, passed into Heaven Monday, June 05, 2023.
Mrs. Shipman was born March 13, 1932, on the Qualla Boundary, Cherokee, North Carolina to the late Ernest and Leauna Sneed. She was married to the late Rev. James E. Shipman, Sr. on January 21, 1952. She was also proceeded in death by her brothers, Bud and Herbert Sneed; and sister, Winnie Lee (Sneed) Nunez.
She is survived by her children, Wanda S. Mintz and her husband, Danny, Jimmy Shipman, Brenda S. Messer and her husband, Greg Messer; grandchildren, Christie Nelon and husband, Jeremy, Nicholas Mintz and wife, Chrissy; Jeremy Jones, Timothy Shipman, Leah Mintz Kovacs and husband Denes, Zachary Jones and wife Jessica and Caleb Wright. She is also survived by ten great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Shipman graduated from Cherokee High School and Asheville Beauty Academy. She retired from Henderson County Public School Food Services. She enjoyed serving as pastor’s wife at Piney Grove Baptist Church and Faith Chapel Baptist Church.
She was lovingly cared for by Linda Whitmire and Earlene Cullen. Darren Hall cared for her lawn for over twenty years and was a great friend.
Mrs. Shipman will also be missed by her surviving siblings, Hillard Sneed, James Sneed, Maurice Sneed and Carie Parker.
A celebration of life service will be held on Monday, June 12, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church, 2501 Haywood Road, Hendersonville, North Carolina. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m., one hour prior to the service, at the church.
Wanda, Jimmy, Brenda, and entire Shipman Family, Words cannot express what an impact your parents made on my life. I will never forget our days together at Piney Grove. It is such a precious memory to me. I grew so much under Big Daddy’s (Jim) preaching, and with Nana Gertha as my Pastor’s wife. I loved to hear them sing together, and I loved when Nana sang Precious Memories in the Cherokee language. Just chills…We laughed and cried together. Rachel, Rabbit, and I saw our first ever little firework tanks, because Big Daddy loved them so much. I buy them every year for the 4th of July. I miss those times. I miss such wonderful, GODLY people, who show the love of CHRIST to three impressionable girls. I can honestly say I have never known anyone like them. Thanks be to GOD, that this is not the end. We will see them again. We are praying for you all. What a wonderful legacy Nana Gertha leaves behind. Our hearts are with you today, and in the days ahead. Glenda and Tim Sass
Wanda, Jimmy, Brenda and Family,
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
We remember Mrs. Shipman fondly. She always had a smile and was such a kind lady. Our deepest sympathy to the family. God bless you all!
To all the family of “GO BO” as this was the name I gave her. So sorry to hear of her passing. We now rejoice knowing she is home with our lord. God bless each and everyone at this time.
We are praising the Lord for Ms. Gertha’s life and testimony and that she no longer suffers but is in the Presence of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! Many prayers for all whose lives she has touched.