Coretta Shipman's Obituary
Mrs. Corretta Lacy Shipman, passed away Monday, November 25, 2024.
Corretta Lacy Shipman was born to the late Willie Lacy and Naomi McCrimmon Lacy in Clarkton, NC. She transitioned from this life on November 25, 2024, at Levine Dickson Hospice House Southminster.
Corretta was born into a loving and spiritual family that had an inseparable bond. Being the eldest of eight children, Corretta was a wonderful sister to her younger siblings, in fact, she was like a second mother to them. She always looked out for them and even helped her mother and father provide for them once she was of age to get a job. Corretta loved her family with her whole heart. She and her sisters Eula, Bernadine and Carline were so close that they even dressed alike on occasion.
Corretta attended Booker T. Washington High School in Bladen County where she was a cheerleader and sang in the glee club. This is where she met the love of her life, her high school sweetheart, the late Elwood Shipman, and they got married the same week she graduated. They moved to New York and were happily married for over 60 years. Elwood was a great husband who did everything he could to make Corretta happy. The two of them even took in her baby sister, Bernadine, when she was twelve years old, and spoiled her rotten, as if she were their own. In addition, they helped support Carline when she attended Livingstone.
College and Columbia University, Eula when she attended North Carolina College and Bernadine when she attended Durham Business College. There was nothing she would not do for her family.
Eventually, Corretta went on to fulfill her dream and make a career for herself. Corretta had a knack for styling hair and stayed up to date with the latest trends, so it was no surprise when she attended Apex Beauty College and obtained additional training at Wilfred Academy for High Fashion Hair Styling. She, her sister Eula and two friends went on to open a 16-booth beauty salon called The Progressive Four on Madison Ave., in New York City. They styled hair for a few contestants of the Miss USA Beauty Pageant as well as other prominent members of society. Coretta and Elwood moved to Charlotte, NC in 1993 to be near their family. They joined Little Rock A.M.E. Zion church where they were active members, and Corretta served as a missionary. She enjoyed listening to the choir, attending church events, and socializing with members of the church.
Corretta had a zest for life until her health started to decline. She loved to have fun and host parties and family gatherings on holidays. One of Corretta’s favorite pastimes was dancing. She loved to dance, so much so that she once danced a hole into a pair of new shoes within three weeks of having them! Although Corretta was always spunky and sassy, she had a sweet spirit and a heart of gold. She would do anything she could for people and loved to bless others with monetary gifts. She also loved to travel. London, Paris, Spain, Jamaica, St. Thomas, St. Martin, Mexico, Bermuda, and Acapulco were some of the destinations she visited.
Coretta was preceded in death by her husband: Elwood Shipman, brothers: Horace Lee Lacy, Willie Lacy, Jr., and Livingston Lacy, sister: Catherine Lacy. She leaves to cherish precious memories, her stepson: Bernard Hines, sisters: Carline Dinkins (Johnny), Eula Lawrence (Noel), and Bernadine Wilson (Clem), godchildren/nieces and nephews: Anthony Dinkins (Chris), Clifton Brown, and Felecia Brown Dennis (Ronald), Cordella Mack (Jacob).
The family will recieve friends from 11 a.m. until 12 p.m. Saturday, November 30, 2024 at Little Rock A.M.E. Zion Church. Funeral services will begin at 12 p.m. A repass will follow at the church.
Committal services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, December 2, 2024 at Evergreen Cemetery.
A full obituary will be posted soon.
James Funeral Home is assisting the family, online condolences may be made at www.jamesfuneralhomelkn.com.
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