Dr. Doris Elaine Sipe

Dr. Doris Elaine Sipe, 72, passed away Friday, May 29, 2015 after a hard fought battle with pancreatic cancer. Dr. Sipe was born August 20, 1942 in Catawba Co. NC., to Beulah Herman Sipe and the late Elmer E. Sipe. Dr. Sipe was a charter member of Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Hickory, where she served as Sunday School Superintendent and played in the hand bell choir. Elaine graduated from Taylorsville High School in 1960. She then received her Bachelor of Science in Education from Concordia College in River Forest, IL. In 1964 she joined President Kennedy’s newly formed United States Peace Corps as a teacher of English in Bentong, Pahang, Malaysia. She taught school at Concordia Lutheran School in Conover while studying for her Master of Arts degree in Geography from Appalachian State. Elaine then went on to teach all the geography and social studies courses from 1970-1987 at Sacred Heart College in Belmont as Assistant Professor of Education. During this time she pursued the requirements for her Doctorate Degree in Higher Education and Administration at Penn State. She completed her Doctoral Program in 1988 from N C State University. Elaine served as Dean of Adult Education at Sacred Heart until the school closed in 1987 when she then moved to Belmont Abbey College as the Director of the Adult Degree Program. In 1990 Elaine returned to her alma mater, Concordia University in River Forest, IL, where she served as Dean of University College. After 14 years in Illinois she returned to Belmont Abbey where she taught for three more years until retiring in 2007. She continued to teach part time at Belmont Abbey, Gardner-Webb University, and Mitchell Community College. During her Retirement she joined Kappa Kappa Iota, a professional organization for educators, where she served and Psi Chapter President for two years. Elaine also served as Chairman of the Board of Catherine’s House in Belmont. Dr. Sipe is survived by her mother Beulah Herman Sipe of Hickory, one sister Martha Houston and Husband Tommy of Bethlehem; nephews Scott Houston and wife Kim of Florida, Marty Houston and wife Stephanie of Claremont, and Andy Houston and wife Lorie of Hickory. The family will receive friends Tuesday June 2nd from 9:45 A.M.- 10:45 A.M. at Our Saviour Lutheran Church. A Funeral service will be held on Tuesday June 2nd at 11:00 A.M. at Our Saviour Lutheran Church with the Rev. Justin Kane officiating. Interment will follow in the Pisgah Cemetery. Honorary Pallbearers will be the Kappa Kappa Iota. Memorials may be made to Catherine’s House; 400 Mercy Dr. Belmont, NC 28012, also to Our Saviour Lutheran Church; 2160 35th Ave Dr. NE Hickory, NC 28601. Condolences may be made online at www.hickoryfh.com. Hickory Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.