Tennessee Hester Shipman

Tennessee Hester Shipman was called home to her Savior on Saturday, February 7, 2026. She leaves behind a loving family who will miss her beautiful smile, great heart and quick wit forever.

Mrs. Shipman was a resident of Burlington and resided previously in Roxboro as well as Oak Island, NC. Born in Bladenboro on August 14, 1932, she was the youngest daughter of the late Matthew M. Hester and Jesse Susan (Hilburn) Hester. She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, James Shipman (also a native of Bladenboro) as well as her four brothers, five sisters and a precious granddaughter, Lauren Wilburn (Burlington NC).

Those left to cherish her memory include her five children — Virginia (Sonny) Wilburn of Burlington; Dixie (Lawrence) Airey of Oak Island; James (Janie) Shipman of Fuquay-Varina; Lynn (JB) Bowes of Roxboro; and Greg Shipman and Tammy Whitlow of Concord and Elon respectively. She leaves behind five grandchildren who all loved their "Granny": Rick Young, Carl Wilburn, Blair Wilburn, Zachary Shipman and Miranda Shipman Rinehardt. She is also survived by eight great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.

She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Graham, NC and was previously a long-time member of Westwood Baptist Church (Roxboro) and Ocean View United Methodist Church (Oak Island). She was a devoted member of the choirs of all three churches and was active in many church roles and activities.

Mrs. Shipman loved her family and her large family reunions. She loved walking on the beach, collecting seashells and shooing seagulls. She was an accomplished seamstress and a great artist and enjoyed teaching her children and grandchildren how to sew, paint and cook. She loved gardening, traveling and reading.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made in Tennessee's memory to Pine Crest Cemetery, Inc., in Bladenboro (c/o Lisa Hester, PO Box 518, Bladenboro NC 28320).

A service to celebrate her life will be held Saturday, February 21, 2026 at 2:00 pm at Rich and Thompson Funeral Service, 306 Glenwood Ave, Burlington NC, with the family receiving friends for a time of visitation beginning at 1:00 pm.

Interment will be 2:00 pm Sunday, February 22, 2026 at Pine Crest Cemetery in Bladenboro NC.

Condolences may be offered at http://www.richandthompson.com.