Shirley Ann Gipson
December 23, 1951 - May 19, 2012
Obituary
Shirley Ann was born in Seattle, Washington to Loretta Gipson and Jack Dotson. She was lovingly embraced by her step father LC Gipson and super spoiled by her manysiblings. Shirley was confident, sassy, hilarious, and strong. A living miracle, Shirley boldly beat insurmountable odds and courageously faced life challenges withgrace, humor, dignity and a great big smile. A natural born diva in her own right, Shirley was beautiful inside and out. Shirley always showed endearing love to her family and friends and enthusiastically enjoyed developing personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. In home entertainment always included listening to inspiring gospel worship music by the likes of WalterHawkins, Fred Hammond, Hezekiah Walker and Kirk Franklin. You never caught her without a full face of flawless makeup. She wore smokey eyes, fierce falsies and agorgeous blackberry lipstick she readily imprinted on all cheeks within reach with a big fat kiss! Her passion for beauty, music and people was no doubt a reflection of her heart and fun loving soul. Shirley attended Lincoln High School and enjoyed a career as office manager for the Associated Counsel for the Accused (ACA). There was a time in her career at ACA when she would house homeless women released from custody. Shirley found love and companionship in a 17 year common law marriage with Leslie B. Riggins.
She leaves to mourn two beloved children – April Gipson-McClinton and Brian Jerome (Alisa) Walters; eight grandchildren – Carl Webster Jr, De’Mario Shepard, DeontreSingletary, Deondre Singletary, Darius Gipson, Amani Gipson, Anthony Walters, and Lauren Walters; four sisters – Margaret Louise (Raymond) Livingston, Jeanette (Willie) Thomas, Rosemary (Woodrow) Jackson, and Bobbie (Artist) Gipson-Golden;and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. Shirley took in and raised as her ownSheila Coleman, Mae Harris and Rachelle Smith. Shirley was preceded in death by her mother Loretta Gipson; father Jack Dotson; step father LC Gipson; brothers Larry,Paul and Gerald Gipson; and sisters Glennell Exkano and Alice Bates.Shirley will be deeply missed, but today we celebrate her life and reflect on herhallelujah anyhow, hilarious, happy spirit with her loved ones, family and friends.
So very sorry to lose the beloved mother of my daughter april.
Shirley will truly be missed. Her laugh and that big smile!! My prayers go out to her family.
I would like to express my deepest sympathy for the loss of your loved one. Death is one of the most difficult things we face in life but may it comfort you to know that others care. I have found great encouragement when reading the beautiful words penned in the Bible at Isaiah 25:8 “He will swallow up death forever, and the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will certainly wipe the tears from all faces.” May this promise bring you comfort in this difficult time.