Rev. Ida Mae Shipman

Rev. Ida Mae Boozer Shipman, was born on January 28, 1945 in Hodges, SC to the late Lafayette “Fate” and Ida Lue Rearden Lipford. She was the 7th of nine children born to this union. After 80 years of precious life upon this earth, she entered into eternal rest on Thursday, September 11, 2025 at NHC Greenwood. A devoted servant of God and lifelong resident of Hodges, she accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior in 1967 and joined Macedonia Christian Methodist Episcopal Church where she walked faithfully with Him for nearly 58 years.

She received her education in Greenwood County public schools and Graduated from Brewer High School in the Class of 1964.  She earned an Associate’s Degree in Accounting from Piedmont Technical College. Reverend Shipman enjoyed a long career at Park Seed Company, later serving as a Pharmacy Technician Assistant and Customer Service Specialist with Wal-Mart Pharmacy, retiring in 2008.

In 1975, she answered her divine calling to preach the Gospel. She was licensed, ordained, and received into full connection with the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, where she served faithfully across six pastoral appointments. Her final charge was at Mt. Moses CME Church in Saluda, where she witnessed the transforming power of God in His people. She also served on the Conference Executive Board Committee of Ministry Examination, the Women Ministers Fellowship of Greenwood, and as a hospital chaplain at Self Memorial Hospital.

Reverend Shipman is a widow and the mother of two children, Willie Boozer of Atlanta, GA, and Santasha (Gregory) Highley of Greenwood, SC. She is also the proud grandmother of two, DeAcia Shipman and Kaeden Allen.

She is survived by two sisters, Dr. Ruby Phillips (Larry) of Simpsonville, SC, and Diane Strawter of Leary, Georgia, and one brother/nephew, Minister Samuel C. Lipford. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lafayette “Fate” and Ida Lue Lipford; four brothers, James Andrew, Curtis, John W., and Arthur Lipford; and two sisters, Evangelist Louise LaFrance and Dorothy Reidout-Bishop.

Her Christian life motto was: “And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.”

Reverend Shipman will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, sister, and pastoral shepherd who touched countless lives with her ministry, compassion, and unwavering faith.

A celebration of her life will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at Mt. Zion Baptist Church (Coronaca, SC) with Bishop James B. Walker officiating and Elder Jetson R. Maness presiding. Interment will follow in Evening Star Cemetery. Reverend Shipman will lie in state from 12:00 pm until 1:00 pm on Saturday at the Church. 

Public viewing will be held from 1:00 pm until 6:00 pm on Friday, September 19, 2025, at the funeral home. 

The family is at the home of her daughter, Santasha Shipman-Highley, 107 Twin Ponds Court, Greenwood, SC 29649 (Pepperhill Subdivision).

Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home is honored to serve the Lipford-Shipman family. 

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