Mary Watts Shipman

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Wednesday, January 3, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Collier – Butler Funeral Home in Gadsden, Alabama for Mary Watts Shipman. Interment will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery in Jacksonville, Alabama. Visitation will be from 10 am until 11:00 a.m.

Mary was born September 13, 1929 in Jacksonville to Andrew Jackson Watts and Bessie Mae Ledbetter Watts. She grew up in the Westside Baptist Church and later raised her children in the First Baptist Church. Mary’s highest degree attained at JSU was that of Educational Specialist. Ballroom dancing was a favorite pastime. Mary had the distinct honor of dancing in several European countries. More recently she enjoyed playing dominoes and socializing with her friends at Regency Pointe in Rainbow City where she was a 17-year resident of Independent Living.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Clinton Shipman, sister, Rebecca Baggett and her brother, O’Dell Watts. Mary is survived by three sons and one daughter: Bill of Cedartown, GA; Don of Jacksonville; Von of Valdosta, GA; Lynn of Fresno, CA; seven grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.

The Lord called Mary to be with Him and her loved ones on December 27, 2023 at Gadsden Regional Medical Center in Gadsden, Alabama.