2018 Fall Shipp
Family Newsletter

Willard K. Walker, son of Louella Elizabeth Shipp Walker, had a stadium named in his honor last year. The stadium officially opened on September 8, 2018.

Kirkland Walker, grandson of Louella Elizabeth Shipp Walker, has been working to make quality housing more affordable and home ownership a possibility for many families in Dekalb County, Georgia.

Gwendolyn Walker, granddaughter of Minnie Shipp Walker, retired from the Internal Revenue Service last month after 34 years of service.

Brandon and Contessa Walker welcomed Brandon King Walker, great-great-grandson of Louella Elizabeth Shipp Walker, into the world on September 11, 2018. He was 7.65 lbs and 19 inches.

Most of us are the descendents of 5 sisters: Minnie Shipp Walker, Leola Lydia Shipp Colvin, Eva Shipp Harvey, Clara Shipp Harris and Louella Elizabeth Shipp Walker (not pictured). Howevever, there are more Shipps out there waiting to be found. The father of these 5 sisters was Leonidas Henry Shipp, Sr. He had 5 siblings including a brother named Joe Shipp. Joe Shipp had a son named Henry Shipp. In the 1920s, Leonidas Henry Shipp, Sr. and his nephew Henry Shipp both lived on Third Avenue in Columbus, GA. Henry Shipp had a son named L.H. Shipp.

L.H. Shipp was born in 1931 in Birmingham, Alabama. Affectionately known as "Rabbi Shipp," L.H. lived a full life dedicated to his family and God. He passed away in 2010 never knowing L.H. likely stood for Leonidas Henry. He went by "Larry."

Please meet L.H.'s family: (from left to right) Doris Shipp, his widow, Laurie Walker, Stephanie Shipp, his daughter, and Michael Shipp, his grandson. They are eager to connect with their long lost family.

Michael Shipp is in the 8th grade. In September, he tore his ACL and meniscus playing football at the homecoming game. His surgery was successful, but he requires 6 weeks on crutches to heal. Please keep him lifted.

At the reunion earlier this year in Columbus, many of us noted the deterioration of Porterdale Cemetery. While we cannot fix the whole cemetery, we can do something about the family plot. The walls around the plot need to be replaced. Also, there are 5 unmarked graves out there. The ones for Leonidas Henry Shipp, Sr., Leonidas Henry Shipp, Jr. and Mack Alexander have been located. Now they need markers. All of this costs money and every little bit helps. If you are interested in helping, please contact Laurie Walker.