2019 Winter Shipp
Family Newsletter

Willard K. Walker, son of Louella Elizabeth Shipp Walker, coaches a team of nine and under youths. Last fall, they won the National Championship.

Addison Walker, great-granddaughter of Louella Elizabeth Shipp Walker, took first place in Vault at a gymnastics competition last fall. Her team came in third place overall.

Douglas Cain, great-grandson of Louella Elizabeth Shipp Walker, and his wife Britney traveled to Rome, Italy. They are happy to announce they are expecting their first child. While in Rome, Doug dedicated a blue shirt to his unborn son. #gainacain

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 Harvey Shipp. In 1918, Harvey Shipp moved his family from Columbus, GA to Cleveland, Ohio. Harvey had a daughter named Jessie Shipp Brooks.

Last fall, Christopher Marcus Brooks, one of the grandsons of Jessie Shipp Brooks and great-grandsons of Harvey Shipp, visited Atlanta. Many of us had the opportunity to meet him for dinner. From left to right: Eddie Harris, Jr., Laura Walker, Mignon, Rojah Reed, Minda Harris Reed, Kelley Cain, Laurie Walker, Christopher Marcus Brooks, Gwendolyn Walker, Harold Cain, Lynda Cain, Stacey Walker, Addison Walker. We look forward to meeting the rest of the Brooks side of the Shipp family. Maybe next time we'll get at least one of our men to smile.

In 1876, Leonidas Henry Shipp, Sr was born to Isaac and Elizabeth Shipp in Oswichee, AL. He went by both L.H. and Lee H. His first profession was farm laborer. After relocating to Columbus, GA, he worked on the railroad. On January 3, 1904, he married Clara Alexander. They had 5 daughters: Louella Elizabeth Shipp (Walker), Leola Lydia Shipp (Colvin), Clara Shipp (Harris), Minnie Shipp (Walker) and Eva Mae Shipp (Harvey). They also had 3 sons: Leonidas Henry Shipp, Jr., Mack Charles Shipp and Eddie Shipp. In the late 1920s, the family relocated to Montgomery, Alabama possibly to allow Leonidas Henry to continue his work on the railroad. In 1935, following the death of Lydia Alexander, mother of Clara Alexander Shipp, the family returned to Columbus, GA and resided in her home at 1138 East Seventh Street. Leonidas Henry Shipp, Sr. passed away in 1938 of apoplexy and hypertension. There are no known pictures of him, but at least now... 80 years later... he has received a grave marker. Better late than never. Rest in peace, great-grandfather.

At the reunion last 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 4 unmarked graves out there. The ones for 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.