Lawnie Ray Shipman, 78, of Flat Rock, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, January 8, 2009 from Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation Center.
A life-long resident of Henderson county, he was a son of the late Eugene and Leona Shipman. He was a truck driver and had retired from Arkansas Best Freight. He was a faithful member of Bobs Creek Baptist Church and very much enjoyed music and loved to sing.
He was also preceded in death by his wife Dorothy “Dot” Shipman and brothers Larry Lee and Reverend James E. Shipman.
Survivors include his daughters Lonette Warr and Gail S. Beddingfield, son Robert Shipman and wife Martha, all of Flat Rock; stepdaughter Belinda T. Eckhardt and husband Paul of East Flat Rock; adopted son Daniel Piper of Flat Rock; sisters Willie “Billie” Coleman of Flat Rock and Donnell Hyder and husband James of Edneyville; eight grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, January 12, 2009 at Forest Lawn mortuary with the Reverends Ira Daves, Rudy Smith and Randy Barton officiating. Visitation will be Sunday from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Forest Lawn Mortuary. Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to the Missionary Fund at Anchor Baptist Church, 3232 Hendersonville Hwy., Pisgah Forest, NC 28768. Forest Lawn Mortuary is assisting the family with the arrangements.