Reece Mae Bullens Elmore Shipley, 98, from Chattanooga, went home to be with the Lord with family by her side, on Monday, Jan. 28, 2013.
Reece was born on Aug. 16, 1914 in Harriman, Tn., to Andrew Jackson and Lizzy Whaley Bullens. She moved from Chattanooga and has lived in San Diego for 42 years. She loved life for life itself, not for any monetary rewards. She was a loving and nurturing mother who devoted her thoughts, time and energy to her children and family.
She was a faithful Christian who was committed to reading the Bible, recording at least nineteen times that she read it from cover to cover. She always put her family first and always loved unconditionally. She will be cherished in our memory and greatly missed.
She was preceded in death by her brothers, Samuel Irving, Andrew Jackson Jr., her sisters, Fay Jarnigan of Bluff City, Tn., Luciille Bivens of Tennessee, Jean Hill of Thomasville, N.C., Jackie Fritts of Dillon, S.C., her son, Robert Allen Elmore of San Diego, three infant children, Betty Ruth and Larry Joe Elmore, Linda Jane Shipley.
She is survived by two sisters, Sue Brown and Wanda June Gooch of Harriman, Tn., six daughters, Donna Sue Drawbond (Russell) of Chattanooga; Shirley McNabb (Alan) and Judy Smith (Ed) of Hixson, Evelyn Gipson (Lloyd Gene), Kay and Karen Shipley of San Diego; 19 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.
Services were held on Friday, Feb. 1, 2013 at Poway-Bernardo Mortuary chapel at 11:30 a.m. with her grandson Chris Smith officiating.
The interment followed at Singing Hills Memorial Park in El Cajon at 2 p.m. Pallbearers were Victor Elmore, Chris Smith, Aaron Williams, Dan Steele, Sal and Oscar Avila. Honorary pallbearers were Chris Smith and Lloyd Gene Gipson.