[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11227]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     IN MEMORY OF MARY ALICE SHIPP

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 14, 2011

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
faithful public servant, a dedicated civil rights activist, a devoted 
mother and wife, and a personal friend, Mrs. Mary Alice Shipp.
  Mary Alice Shipp was born on November 30, 1927 in Alamo, Georgia, one 
of six children to the late Aaron O. Cook, Sr. and the late Abbie Hall 
Cook Steward.
  Mary Alice Shipp had a thirst for knowledge and throughout her life 
continued her pursuit of education. She graduated from the Twin City 
High School in Telfair County and went on to Albany State College, 
where she received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary 
Education. She later attended Fort Valley State College, where she 
became certified in Guidance and Counseling. In addition, she became 
certified in Career Education at the University of Georgia and became a 
Master Cosmetologist at the Madam C.J. Cargo Beauty School in Savannah. 
As the years progressed, she completed advanced training in Christian 
Education at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta.
  Her love of education led her to teach elementary school in Telfair, 
Bleckley and Bibb Counties for 28 years before retiring. In addition to 
teaching, she was an accomplished business woman, owning and operating 
the Debutante Beauterette in McRae, Georgia for 20 years and was co-
owning and managing the Shepard Funeral Home in Sylvester, Georgia.
  Mary Alice Shipp served her community, as well. She was appointed to 
the Georgia Board of Corrections, Georgia Hunger Coalition, Member of 
the Sylvester City Council, President of the Worth County NAACP, and 
Director of the Worth County Save the Children. She and her husband, 
the late Curtis Shipp, were dedicated to the citizens of Worth County 
and the surrounding area.
  For more than 40 years, she was a part of the struggle for civil 
rights. She was a faithful believer in the teachings of Jesus Christ 
and the advocacy of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Because 
of her efforts, she was recognized by numerous organizations for her 
selfless efforts to help the poor, aged, and less fortunate. She 
donated many of her awards and memoirs to the Albany Civil Rights 
Museum. The Mary Alice Shipp Senior Center, named in her honor, also 
ensures Mrs. Shipp's lasting legacy.
  Mrs. Shipp was a woman of great faith. She was converted at an early 
age and was a devout member of Corinth C.M.E. Church in McRae, Georgia, 
where she served in numerous capacities for many years. After moving to 
Sylvester, she became affiliated with Jones Chapel A.M.E. Church and 
later united with the Brown's Chapel C.M.E. Church, where she served 
faithfully until her death.
  She was blessed with a loving family, including her late husband, 
Curtis Shipp, two beautiful daughters, Lynette Edwards and Paula Adams; 
son-in-law, Virgil Adams; grandson, Xavier Omar Edwards; sister, Annie 
Pearl Little; a sister-in-law, Delores Cook; devoted step-son, Ricky 
Shipp; nieces, Beverly Burks, Regina Daniels, Antoinette Smith, Judith 
Cook, Sara Shields and Nekia Daniels; nephews, Charles Little, Jr, 
Philip Burks, Kelsie Daniels, Jr., and Jason Smith.
  Mr. Speaker, through Mrs. Shipp's endeavors to educate and improve 
her community, she touched many people. She leaves behind a lasting 
legacy of dedicated service, and I was fortunate to have her as a 
friend. My heartfelt sympathies are with her family, as it is always 
difficult to lose a loved one, but there is comfort knowing that today, 
heaven has a new angel and Mary Alice Shipp is with God.

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