Carol Ann Shipley

Oklahoma City - Carol Ann Shipley (Minderman) passed from this earth on December 20th, 2024.

Carol was born to Edward Kenneth Minderman and Veta Christine Minderman (Nash) on October 21st, 1948 in Southwest Oklahoma City. A few years afterward, she was gifted a brother, Kenneth Ray Minderman, who tragically succumbed to childhood heart disease. Kenny was to be Carol's only sibling and a great source of both: love and the sorrow of loss in her family. Carol attended Southeast High School, matriculated in 1966 and attended the University of Oklahoma receiving a Bachelor's Degree of Education in 1970. Shortly afterward, she married John Arthur Shipley of Oklahoma City. In 1971, she gave birth to Bret Edward Shipley- her only child. Carol was a member of Antioch Christian Church and then Villiage Christian Church. In 2007, Carol was given what would be the best gift ever given to her the birth of John Hunter Shipley- her only grandchild. Short of her love for God, nothing else eclipsed Carol Shipley's love and adoration of Hunter Shipley. Being "Amaw" was simply the greatest prize that she would receive in this world.

Carol Shipley taught at Bodine Elementary School in Oklahoma City. She had a passion for teaching 2nd and 3rd grade students from 1970 through her unexpected retirement in the fall of 2004. Both current and former students had both a teacher and a mother in Carol. Throughout her days, there was simply no expiration to her care and concern for her students.

In the fall of 2004, Carol was diagnosed with, and fought through, breast cancer to became a valiant survivor of that awful disease. Having endured surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatments, she emerged victorious. In true Carol Shipley form, she turned her patient kind-heartedness towards stewarding her parents, first Veta and then Ed, through their final few years- all as she enjoyed her newest title of Grandma. Mom turned her doggedly maternalistic, Christian passion toward ensuring that her parents were able to face their battles with cancer- amazingly all while being able to remain in the comfort of their home in the Village. No doubt her stewardship and gentle nature eased their suffering and allowed them to experience so much parental pride and human dignity in their final days.

Owing much to the effects of chemotherapy, Carol Shipley began to experience a terrible form of long-term dementia which rendered her to be ANYTHING but who she once was. Having watched her lineage progressively fade into history, Carol Shipley fought through dementia's terrible grip with kindness and as much grace as was humanly-possible. To those who knew Carol Shipley, prior to 2010, you knew and saw the decline of the lady I proudly call my Mother. To those who knew Carol after the passing of her father, Ed Minderman, in 2014: You witnessed a declining and often uncharacteristic version of a once kind and grounded lady who never missed the opportunity to go the extra mile for anyone in need. Though her personality changed dramatically, Carol Shipley had moments of 'herself' on many occasions- even during her final years in memory care.

To know Carol Shipley was to know the selfless power of motherhood. Motherly instinct was applied evenly to son, grandson and any: relative, friend, colleague or animal- irrespective of age or situation. She selflessly mothered her parents, friends, neighbors, fellow teachers, students (current and former) and an innumerable list of dogs, cats and even one eighteen-year-old lizard.

Finally, and most importantly, Carol Ann Shipley is a believer in Christ and a proud disciple in introducing family and friends to His Word. Nothing about her person was stronger than her faith in God. Though gone in body, the true and real Carol Shipley exists now in God's Eternal Light. While she has been and will be terribly missed, her suffering in the prison of dementia is forever banished from her wonderful spirit. In lieu of physical celebration or donation, we humbly ask that you her friends love a bit harder and pray a bit longer each day. Those are the utmost legacy of a teacher, mother and Christ follower named Carol Shipley.