Mary Shipley

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Mary “Belle” Shipley, age 96, of Montevallo, passed away Friday, Jan. 22, 2010. She was born in Birmingham, but grew up in the rural mountain areas northwest of Chattanooga, Tenn. Belle moved back to Birmingham after high school, graduated from Business College and in her younger years worked as an Administrative Secretary. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. Belle was a long time member of the Pelham Church of Christ and current member of the Riverchase Church of Christ.
She was preceded in death by her husband John H. “Jack” Shipley and survived by 2 daughters, Ginger Prochaska of Sauk Rapids, Minn. and Janise Haefner of Montevallo; 2 grandsons, John Shipley Sturgis of Calera and Gerald Sturgis (step-grandson) of Richburg, S.C.; 7 granddaughters, Katherine Guzman, Erin Diaz, Paula Haefner (step-granddaughter), all from Montevallo, Melissa McCollum, Rebecca Eaton, Sandra Sawyer all from Norfolk, Va. and Rene’ Robinson (step-granddaughter) of Rock, S.C.; 9 great grandsons, Nicolas Juarez, Jack Diaz, Derek Diaz all from Montevallo, Mickah Sturgis of Calera, Jordan Sturgis of Jemison, George Eaton and Leo Eaton, both from Norfolk, Va., Austin Sharpe (step-great grandson) of Catawba, S.C. and Jay Robinson (step-great grandson) of Rock Hill, S.C.; 13 great-granddaughters, Zoe Guzman, Daniela Guzman, Mallory Diaz all from Montevallo, McKaelia Sturgis of Calera, Debra Nelson, Monica Dalton, Donna McCollum Rose, DeAnna McCollum, all from Danville, Va., Ashlee Sawyer, Rashay Easton, both of Norfolk, Va., Whitney Robinson (step- great granddaughter) of Rock Hill, S.C., Brandi Sturgis (step-great granddaughter) of Sharon, S.C. and Miranda Sturgis (step-great granddaughter) of Richburg, S.C.; 1 great-great grandson, Kache Eaton of Norfolk, Va.; 2 great-great granddaughters, Peyton Dalton and Colum Rose, both of Danville, Va. and numerous nieces and nephews.
Service will be Wednesday Jan. 27, 2010, at 1 p.m. at Ridout’s Elmwood Chapel, with burial following at Elmwood Cemetery. Visitation was held Tuesday Jan. 26, 2010, from 5-7 p.m. Dewayne Spivey, Minister of Riverchase Church of Christ, officiated. Pall Bearers were: Joel Bearden, Jamie Diaz, Don Genry, Lindsey Handley, Tom Ingram, Ron Jackson, Robby Owens and John Sturgis.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory to the following charities would be appreciated: The American Cancer Society and The American Heart Association.