Dee Shipp McAdams' Obituary
Dee Shipp McAdams passed away April 15, 2013 in New Braunfels, Texas at the age of 91. Dee was extremely blessed and lived an enriched life surrounded by family, friends and church. Dee was born in Dardanelle, Arkansas on May 3, 1921. She graduated from Byrd High School in Shreveport, Louisiana but lived the majority of her childhood in Little Rock, Arkansas. Dee’s life dramatically changed when she met Thomas J. Shipp in 1940. They quickly fell in love and married on February 1, 1941 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Dee and Tom moved to Dallas shortly after they married, so Tom could attend SMU Perkins School of Theology and complete his education. Dee became part of the Dallas Lovers Lane Methodist Church family when Tom was appointed pastor of the church on October 28, 1945. Dee always stated that her job was to “stand behind Tom and be there for him in the church.” She served as his “first lady” of the church during Tom’s 32 years as Pastor. Countless committee meetings, new member receptions, staff parties and youth activities were held in there home. As the church grew, so did Tom and Dee’s family. They were blessed with two children, Tommy and Judy. Dee was always by Tom’s side, but unfortunately, he passed away suddenly on July 21, 1977. After Tom’s passing, Dee married a wonderful man, Bill Fursman, on September 11, 1981. They lived in the Flower Mound, TX, and Dee enjoyed a different type of life. Her relaxing, country lifestyle allowed her to ride horses with Bill, plant a garden and have a Donkey named, Checkers. Adding three grown step-daughter’s and son-in-laws to Dee’s family thrilled her. Dee and Bill enjoyed life together until Bill’s passing two short years after their marriage. Amazingly, Dee once again found love and married Jack McAdams in June of 1987. Dee and Jack enjoyed their blended families, traveling, watching Maverick basketball games and Cowboy football games, dining with friends, attending the Dallas Summer Musicals and Symphony Balls. Luckily, they enjoyed many years together before Jack passed away in 2010 at the age of 91. Dee took pleasure in sewing, playing bridge, all types of arts and crafts, riding horses, traveling, spending time with friends and family, serving the community and spoiling her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a member of the Dallas Symphony and Dallas Opera Board. Dee was honored with the Dr. Daniel Poling award in 1991 for “outstanding contribution and service to Allied Youth International Board,” an alcohol and drug abuse program for youth. In 1994, she was presented the Heritage Award from Lovers Lane Methodist Church. Dee is preceded in death by her parents, Forrest and Mary Sparling, and her sister, Judy Mosley Lewis. She is survived by her children, Thomas Forrest Shipp and his companion Sony Hicks, Judy Heyden Coone and her husband, Pat Coone; her loving grandchildren, Jennifer Heyden Collier and James Thomas Heyden and their spouses, Jim Collier and Carey Barlow Heyden. Dee was also blessed with four great-grandchildren from this side of the family, Madie and Heyden Collier, Scotlan and Finley Heyden. She is also survived by her beloved brother-in-law, Bill Shipp and his wife, Irene; nephew, Paul Shipp and his wife, Bonnie Shipp and their children; niece, Carol Shipp Hengels and her husband, Frank Hengels, their daughter, Heather and her family; nephew, Jim Mosley; and her grandchildren’s father, Rick Heyden. Dee is also survived by her step-children and their spouses, Carol and Gerald McAdams, Susie and Ronnie Wright, Ann Nix and their children, grandchildren, beautiful great-grandchildren. The funeral service for Dee Shipp McAdams will be held on Thursday, April 18th at 11:00 AM in the sanctuary at Lovers Lane Methodist Church located at 9200 Inwood Road, Dallas, TX. After the service, a reception will be held at Lovers Lane Methodist Church and Graveside service will be held in Restland Memorial Park. Visitation will be Wednesday, April 17th from 6:00-8:00 PM at Restland Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Hope Hospice, 611North Walnut Ave, New Braunfels, TX 78132, who provided loving care to Dee and her family during the final months of her life.
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