Alethia Johnson Shipp

April 27, 1936 - December 31, 2014

Alethia Johnson Shipp, lovingly called Granny, a resident of Williamsport, made her transition to her heavenly home on Wednesday evening, December 31, 2014 at Signature Healthcare after a lengthy illness. She dedicated 78 wonderful years of service to this life. A homegoing celebration will be held on Saturday, January 3, 2015 at 12:00 noon at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Columbia with Reverend Alvin Anderson, Sr. officiating. Burial will follow in Rosemont Cemetery. The family will also receive friends for visitation on Saturday one hour prior to the service from 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM at the church. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Alethia was born on April 27, 1936 in the Theta Community and was the daughter of the late Howard Johnson and the late Lucy Palmer. She was educated in the Mary County School System. In 1952 she was united in holy matrimony to Bernard Ray Shipp who preceded her in death in June of 2012. During their sixty years of marriage they were blessed with six children. Alethia confessed a hope in Christ at an early age and was baptized. Prior to her illness, she served as a member of Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church. She worked for various employers in the Maury County area including, Bel Air Nursing Home, Columbia State Community College, and NHC Nursing Home. Granny loved sewing, crocheting, and was well-known for her canning. She was also well-known for loving and spoiling her grandchildren, as well as her great-grandchildren and any other children who happened to come her way. She is lovingly survived by her children: Jackie Ray (Debbie) Shipp, Michael Shipp, Howard (Janice) Shipp, Cordell (Dollie) Shipp, Theresa Shipp-Blake (David Sr.), Fredrick (Kimberly) Shipp; a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren; devoted sister: Evangelist Jean Glenn of Columbia; loving sister-in-law: Ms. Deloris Long of Smyrna; devoted cousin: Walter (Brenda) Partee, Sr.; special friend: Jimmy Lee (Lois) Jackson; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends. Nephews will serve as pallbearers. The Williamsport Riders Men will serve as honorary pallbearers. Nieces and the Williamsport Riders Women will serve as flower bearers, and granddaughters will serve as honorary flower bearers.