Jones County, TX - Obituary - Ruthie Lee Mitcham Shipp ******************************************************************************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: The Stamford American Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ******************************************************************************** Ruthie Lee Mitcham Shipp, 95, died Thursday, March 30, 2006, at an Abilene hospital. Services were at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 1, 2006, at Lawrence-Adams Funeral Home Chapel. Burial was in Bethel Cemetery in Funston, directed by Lawrence-Adams Funeral Home. Ruthie was born November 20, 1910 to Albert A. ÒMitchÓ Mitcham and Etta Compton Mitcham. She married O.T. Shipp Sr. in 1958. Not only did she gain what she called a wonderful man as a husband, but both claimed they had each found the perfect fishing partner. They were part of the founding members of the Lueders Fish Day that was started in 1958. Ruthie was the last surviving member to attend the Fish Day in 2005. Ruthie was a life long resident of Lueders. She owned and operated RuthÕs Beauty and Dress Shop for 55 years prior to retiring at age 85. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Johnnie Ruth Sparks, her parents, and her husband, O.T. Shipp Sr. Ruthie never lost that will to get up and go, which usually meant to go drink coffee and chat with friends. This ability to keep going was accomplished by her inner drive and the help of her cousin and caregiver, Albert Wilhite; her neighbors, Thurman and Marjorie Thomas; longtime friends, Laveta Youngquist, Fern McGlathery, C.T. and Carolene Stovall, Ruby Galloway; and special helper, Oralia Lopez. Ruthie is survived by a number of relatives, longtime friends and customers. Memorial gifts may be made to Hendrick Hospice Care, P.O. Box 1922, Abilene, Texas 79604 or to the donorÕs favorite charity.