Betty Jo Shipley

Betty Jo Shipley was born in Crandall, Texas on July 20, 1936, and passed away in her home on February 19, 2025, at the age of 88, following a valiant battle with COPD. Betty attended school in Forney and graduated in the class of 1954. She loved sports and competition and participated in basketball and cheerleading. In 1955, she married the love of her life, Bobby Shipley. In 1960, they were blessed with one son, Tim, who was their greatest pride and joy. They continued to reside in Forney, always close to numerous family members and friends. Her fierce love for her family was evident. She had a tough exterior, but underneath she was loving and affectionate and was always available to help in any circumstance. She dedicated her life to Christ at a young age and was a long-time member of First Baptist Church of Forney. Betty was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and proudly joined through female lineage. An avid genealogist, she and her sister, Debbie, spent over 40 years researching family history and everyone in the family received a pedigree chart tracing their individual family tree. Her working career was spent at Glazers Wholesale Liquor where she worked for over 40 years as a statistician. She retired in 2002 and spent her days continuing her work in a studio setting, quilting with her late sister, Nancy. They worked from daylight till dark on quilts and their entries won either first place or best in show in the State Fair 10 years in a row. If you got married or had a baby, you were gifted one of these beautiful heirloom creations. Their talents were extraordinary with love and perfection poured into every stitch. In the mid 1980s, she learned to play Bridge. Over the years, she played in many bridge clubs. She continued to play at the Senior Citizen’s Center until the day before she passed. She also enjoyed many games of 42, canasta, chicken foot, and dominoes, with family and friends. Affectionately known to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as Granna or Bee, she loved spending time with them. When Tim Jr. was young, she would hunt all over Dallas for the newly released Power Ranger, so he could add to his prized collection. In recent years, her great-grandchildren brought her so much joy and she loved watching them grow. She was never bored. She loved to read and read the newspaper from front to back daily. She stayed on top of current events and was always up for a discussion of the latest politics. She enjoyed books and was an enthusiastic reader. She preferred the feel and smell of real books, but did graduate to a Kindle some years ago. Other activities she enjoyed were gardening and working in her yard. She tended to her beautiful flower beds and the more dirt she could get her hands on, the better! If she found out you were somewhere that sold dirt, she was having a bag or two! Never wanting to forget an important event, she amassed a huge collection of photos. She kept them neatly organized in countless albums for all to cherish. Other items she enjoyed collecting were antique thimbles and Wedgewood Jasperware. Betty was the eldest of three daughters born to James Guyton Singleton and Inez Nichols Singleton. She is survived by her son, James Timothy (Tim) Shipley and wife, Charlotte; grandson James Timothy Shipley, Jr. (Tim) and wife, Sarah, granddaughter Micah Lynn Ryan and husband Wesley, great-grandchildren Cole Bennett Shipley, Cody Lane Shipley, Eisley Michelle Ryan and Emery Samuel Ryan; sister, Deborah Singleton Stuart and husband Aaron; niece Melissa Stuart; numerous beloved cousins, extended family, and many dear friends. Preceded in death by her parents, James Guyton Singleton and Inez Nichols Singleton; husband Bobby Gene Shipley; sister Nancy Singleton Sloan. Funeral services for Betty will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 25, 2025, in The Forum at First Baptist Church Forney, with Brother Jerry D. Griffin officiating. The family will receive friends beginning at 1:00 p.m., prior to the service. Interment to follow at Hillcrest Cemetery in Forney. The family would like to thank the services of Lifted Hospice and her friend and nurse, Edna Sloan.

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Betty Jo Shipley

July 20, 1936 - February 19, 2025