Juanita C. Shipman

Juanita Clement Shipman, of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, was born on October 3, 1929 in Mobile, Alabama. The “Queen of our Hearts” was escorted to her heavenly home on December 14, 2024 after leading a beautiful life of service to others. She was our priceless treasure who leaves behind a legacy of selfless love and unyielding devotion to her family. We will forever cherish her humble heart, contagious laugh, and most loving arms. She was 95 years old.

Mom took her first piano lesson when she was just five. At the age of 17, she purchased her very own baby grand, a 1948 Lester where she dominated the 88’s with a masterful touch comparable to the likes of Liberace. The piano was a life-long source of joy for her as well as everyone who heard her play. She played in Carnegie Hall, gave piano lessons, and was a self-taught organist and choir director at church. She mastered everything from the works of Beethoven to the head-bopping beat of the Boogie Woogie.

Mom made a name for herself as a dedicated member of Ochsner Medical Foundation where she enjoyed her work as a Medical Editor. At one point in her career, she became the subject of friendly competition among physicians who fought over her because of her speed in taking their fragmented jargon and transforming it into deadline-ready professional publications. 

Mom’s green thumb kept her busy until her late 80’s where she grew everything from plumerias to impressive orchid collections. She captured magazine-worthy images from her garden and thoroughly loved the outdoors.

She was a talented seamstress creating baby and children’s clothes, bridesmaid dresses, and two wedding gowns. Her old sewing machine cabinet will always have a place in our home where I envision the hours of work and love that she poured into everything she made. Her hands rarely rested. 

Aside from her unyielding devotion to her children, she rescued an untold number of dogs during her lifetime. Her passion for her furry friends landed them a “close second” in the ongoing tongue-in-cheek debate as to whether she loved her children or her dogs more. Each fur baby occupied a special place in her heart. Some were easily trained and others got by on their looks, but every single one was a very spoiled and fun companion to her. Her last furry love, Duke, may have been her favorite. He was a 70 lb teddy bear lab who only left her side to break for necessities. For 12 years, he was her faithful friend…a gentle giant whose big brown eyes brought her immense joy. Duke’s picture has a prominent place in her room at our house, along with dozens of others for whom she cared throughout the years. Of note, there are “dozens” of dog photos on display…”two” of her children. (Back to the debate!) 

How grateful we are to have had so much fun with our Mom. We loved hearing about her youthful antics on her grandmother’s farm and found ourselves caught up in hilarity as she revealed shocking closely held secrets about pranks that she, her siblings, and cousins hatched as kids. Later in life, she and her partners in crime would gather to reminisce and belly laugh over their naughtiness at their annual “Cousins Reunions.” What an incredible generation they were. She used to tell us we came from good stock!

Speaking of fun, our family enjoyed Game Nights. Mom was a great sport but occasionally raised a few eyebrows during our otherwise mild-paced Scrabble games. There was something about the way she grinned whenever she dropped a word that was unfamiliar to us. She used her Medical Editing skills to her advantage, so it was difficult to determine whether she was just that smart or whether she was trying to put one over on us. And while she was an excellent speller, her drawing skills during Pictionary were painfully lacking. Her “artwork” often evoked a great deal of confusion and comedy, not to mention loss, for her team! Her laugh would shift the merriment to a whole new level. Her sense of humor undoubtedly helped to make her last difficult years easier to bear. 

We cannot imagine more compassionate and loving caregivers than the ones God sent to us. You precious people quickly became family. Words cannot adequately express our appreciation for every big and small thing you did for us. I pray that you realize how much you helped with every smile, encouraging word, prayer or prank! Mom deserved the best, and you were the best. How she loved you.

She was a most loving mother to daughters, Cheryl Seevers (Dan), Leslie Woolard (Mark), and son, David Oehler (Patti). She adored her grandchildren, Kristen Enochs, Justin Seevers (Uyen), Jennifer Fleming, Devin Oehler (Traci), and Lindsey Dean, as well as great-grandchildren, Caleigh Seevers, Kailey Fleming, Austyn Akin, Jayse Enochs, Dylan Oehler, and Danny Seevers.

She treasured her relationship with step-children Maggie Shipman, Ned Shipman, John Shipman, and Allison Milhem, as well as the many precious bonds she shared with extended family and her “other daughters” who unceasingly clamored for first place in her beloved fan club. Although divorced and remarried for many years, my parents and step-parents shared a bond of mutual respect and camaraderie. Family gatherings paved the way for many wonderful memories for which we are most grateful. Our beloved mother is preceded in death by her parents, Flarrave and Walter Clement, brother, James Hoyt Clement, sister, Zoila Clement, husband, Edward Daniel Shipman, Jr., and daughter, Leslie Woolard.

To our most cherished Mom, we trust that you were able to hear the outpouring of love from everyone who called or came to see you the last week of your life. I don’t know how many times in between laughter and tears you were told, “I love you.” Surely you felt it.

Your physical absence from our daily lives is difficult to fathom. We shared so much, especially belly laughs. There was nothing left unsaid and your impact over your 95 years is far-reaching and without end. We are heartbroken, yet, rejoicing that you are now in the presence of your Savior and, once again, able to walk ~ even dance ~ on those promised streets of gold. How we will miss you. 

Until we meet again, sweet Mom and Nana, we love you forever.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, December 21, 2024, at 2:30 pm, with visitation starting 2:00 pm at Riemann Family Funeral Home, 13872 Lemoyne Blvd. West Jackson County.

Please share your memories at www.RiemannFamily.com