Laverne Whitworth Shipp of Richland, WA passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends Saturday August 30, 2014 seven days prior to her 94th birthday. She was a former resident of Clinton, AR born September 6, 1920 to John H. and Ester Burns Whitworth of Culpepper mountain community in Van Buren County near Clinton, AR. She attended Culpepper grade school and graduated from Clinton Vocational High School.

In January 1941 she married her best friend and love of her life Jack L. Shipp. Residing in California during WWII they returned with their infant son to their Culpepper home in 1947. She was saddened at the death of her husband from cancer in 1964.

Laverne worked with special needs children at the Arkansas Human Development Center in Conway, AR until retirement.

She moved to Richland, WA in 1988 to be near her son Dr. Bill Shipp, daughter-in-law Linda and their children Jennifer and John. Laverne found true happiness watching her grandchildren grow and mature to adulthood. She loved and cherished her special great grandson Mason.

Laverne was a Christian of the Church of Christ faith. She leaves family and friends who remember her kindness to everyone she knew.

She is preceded in death by her husband Jack L. Shipp, parents John and Ester Whitworth, sister Dortha Theberge and brother-in-law Henry Theberge. She is survived by her son Dr. Bill Shipp and wife Linda Jacobs Shipp of Richland, WA, granddaughter and husband Jennifer and Matthew Miles of Havre, MT, grandson John Michael Shipp of Eureka, MT, great grandson Mason Hunter Shipp of Richland, WA, and two sisters Marie Whitworth Bowling of Hot Springs, AR, Jerry Kidd and brother-in-law Jim Kidd of Rogers, AR, and many nieces, nephews and friends. Surviving ones will miss her she will always be a part of their lives.

Cremation was arranged by Einan's funeral home. A family gathering will be held at a later date in Arkansas. Her final resting place will be Culpepper Mountain cemetery on Hwy 336 of Clinton, AR.