Bessie "Beth" Mae Thomas

Bessie Mae Shipp was born January 21, 1935 in Dallas, Texas. She left this world peacefully to be with the Lord on Sunday, May 1, 2022 in Sunnyvale, Texas at the age of 87. She is preceded in death by her parents Jessie James and Mae Elizabeth Shipp, her seven brothers, R.C., Tony, J.B., Jessie, Doyle, Gene, and Clifton Shipp and a great granddaughter Ryker.

She married D.J. Sheppard at the age of 16 and together they had Kenneth Dewayne and Donna Kay. She later married J.E. (Bill) Thomas and together they had Deborah Ann and Dena Elaine. During this marriage she was also Mother to Jerry, Billy, Linda and Ricky whom she loved like her own.

She was a Baptist by faith, she knew The Lord and prayed some beautiful prayers, mostly for others and not for herself. She worked different jobs to support her children. She was a sales associate, babysitter, waitress and her last job was working for DISD as a custodian, where she loved being around the children.

She loved dancing, music, pacman, playing Bingo, word search, being outside and Wheel of Fortune. She loved spending time with her family.

She is survived by her Son and Daughter in law Ken and Lynn Sheppard of Rockwall, Daughter Donna Patterson of Celeste, Daughter and Son in law Debi and Richard Risner of Canton and Daughter Dena Turner of Dallas. Grandchildren are Jason, Nicole, Ashley, Dayna, Chad, Britany, Blake, Jackie, Rich and Laura. Great grandchildren are Drake, Aiden, Hannah, Justin, Hunter, Hudson, Tristin, Trintin, Addison, Paisley Mae, Ryatt and Emerson. Precious friends David and Rhonda and her beloved Yorkie Minnie.