Mary Kate (Rakestraw) Shipp

Mary Kate Rakestraw Shipp, age 93, of Dallas, GA, passed away on Tuesday, December 18, 2018. She was born on August 26, 1925, in Hawkinsville, GA, to the late Virgil Raymond and Kate Kincaid Rakestraw. As a child she moved to Paulding County, where she met the love of her life, John Shipp, in the fourth grade.  The couple married when she was 15 and he was 17 years old, just before he was sent overseas to serve in World War II.  Mary went on to graduate as valedictorian of Hiram High School.  She was known throughout her life as an avid reader and gifted writer, first using these skills working for the Civil Service during the War and then later as a legal secretary for Lane & Sanders law firm. She was a faithful member of Dallas First United Methodist Church, particularly active in the Sunday School and Floral ministries.  She had an eye for beauty and was a frequent winner in the Dallas Garden Club flower shows.  Mary was happiest when surrounded by her large and devoted family.

Mrs. Shipp was preceded in death by her loving husband, John S. Shipp, Jr.; her parents; two sons, John S. Shipp III and Alan Raymond Shipp; and her three brothers, Wilbur Rakestraw, Bernarr Rakestraw, and Donald Rakestraw.

Survivors include her son, Brian Kincaid Shipp of Rockmart, GA; sisters: Betty Rakestraw Aiken of Dallas, GA, Harlow Rakestraw Otwell of Austell, GA, Linda Faye Rakestraw Strickland (Russell) of Dallas, GA; daughters-in-law: Hilda Cates Shipp of Buchanan, GA, and Jeanne Oakes Shipp of Dallas, GA; grandchildren: Fran Shipp Poteet (Michael), Jonathan Alton Shipp, Jenifer Ahrens (Bryan), Leigh Shipp Muniz (Daniel), Kathryn Shipp Rhyne (Joe), Cade Shipp, Robert Shipp; great-grandchildren: Cody Lucas, Nick Lucas (Tamara), Micah Poteet, Braiden Shipp, Henry Ahrens, Oscar Ahrens, Olivia Muniz, Luke Muniz, Aaron Muniz, Adam Rhyne, and great-great grandchild, Ivy Lucas.  Mary is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services for Mrs. Shipp will be held on Thursday, December 20, 2018, at 11:00 AM at the Clark Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Ken Ray officiating. Interment will follow the service at Paulding Memorial Gardens Cemetery with the following gentlemen serving as pallbearers:  Jeffrey Brown, Scott Brown, Allen Rakestraw, Jason Rakestraw, Wil Rakestraw, and Russ Strickland. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday, December 19, 2018, from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM and prior to the service on Thursday.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully asks that donations be made to Dallas First United Methodist Church in Mrs. Shipp’s name.

Donations can be sent to:

Dallas First United Methodist Church

141 East Memorial Drive

Dallas, GA. 30132

Please feel free to leave online condolences to the family at www.samclarkfuneralhome.com