Donald Earl Shipman
1936 - 2022
Don peacefully went home to be with the Lord on Saturday afternoon, April 2, 2022 in Dallas, Texas after battling illness.
Don was born September 13, 1936 in Pensacola, Florida. He was the eighth living child of James Thomas Shipman and Lola Mae Loftin Shipman.
Orphaned at the age of nine, Don was raised by his elder brother, Ralph, and sister-in-law, Irene. When he was 14 years old, Don heard the truth of the Gospel and believed on the Lord Jesus Christ for his salvation from sin. At the age of 17, he felt the call to the Gospel ministry, and he soon moved to Texas to attend Bible Baptist Seminary of Fort Worth, Texas.
While visiting the town of Bowie, Texas to minister through music at Central Baptist Church, he saw a pretty young lady playing the piano before the meeting started. Don leaned over to a friend, pointed to the pianist, and said, “I’m going to marry that girl.” Don and Elvena were married a little over a year later. Together, they ministered in churches all over America as well as their local church and seminary for 62 years.
Don faithfully served his Lord and Savior for almost 68 years. The impact of Don’s life for the cause of Christ is felt by all who knew him, and will be for the generations to come.
Don is preceded in death by his parents, James and Lola Mae; his older brothers and sisters, Ralph, Dorothy, Grace, Margaret, Nita, Betty, Gene; and his younger sister, Kay. He is also preceded in death by his son, Donald Jonathan Shipman.
Don is survived by his faithful wife, Orlie Elvena Winton Shipman; his son, Lonnie Lee Shipman; his son, Ronald Walker Shipman; and his daughter, Melanie Susan Shipman Webb. He is also survived by six grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and a host of family and friends.
Funeral Services will be held at the Worth Baptist Church, 4900 Campus Drive, Fort Worth, Texas at 12:30 pm on April 9, 2022, with interment to follow at the Grove Hill Cemetery, Dallas, Texas. Visitation will be on April 8, 2022, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM at Worth Baptist Church.
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