Lena Mae Shipley died peacefully in her apartment at Manor Park on Monday, August 5, 2019, at the age of 100, ready to join her Savior, Jesus Christ, in Heaven.Lena Mae was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ralph R. Shipley, who died in 1996 after 58 years of marriage, following a lengthy illness. There was no child born of this marriage. Lena Mae is survived by her niece and husband, Dianne and Donnie Briggs of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, and with memories of many good friends along the way.Lena Mae was born Lena Mae Jennings on April 9, 1919, in Avant, Oklahoma, to Tinnie Mae Sloan-Jennings and Paul Richard Jennings. Lena Mae celebrated her 100th birthday on April 9, 2019 at the Cowden Cottage at Manor Park, Midland, with friends and several members of her Dorcas Sunday School Class from First Baptist Church, Midland.Lena Mae’s mother died at age 26, leaving her husband and three small children: Chester Amos (CA) age 2, Lavonne age 4, and Lena Mae age 6. Their dear brother, Chester Amos (CA) was killed in service, in 1944 at age 21. Lena Mae’s dear sister, Lavonne (Von) Jennings-Andrews, died of cancer in 1999 at age 78. Lena Mae’s father later married Ollie Walker-Jennings.Lena Mae and Ralph were married on May 27, 1938 at Bartlesville Methodist Church, Bartlesville, Oklahoma, at age 19, following her high school graduation. Ralph served his country in the Navy and was stationed at several different places during his tour of duty. Lena Mae followed Ralph to his military stations whenever possible and worked in the Naval offices.Lena Mae and Ralph were brought to Midland by Ralph’s company, the former Gulf Oil, where Ralph was an accountant for many years.The family wishes to thank especially friends, Judy Devenport-McCoy and Peggy Redman; all the ladies of the Dorcas class of First Baptist Church; Tom Scott and Moses Caesar, and other deacons of First Baptist Church who frequently visited her at Manor Park; and all the staff of Manor Park who cared for Lena during her residency there.A viewing will be held from 12:30 to 2:00 PM on Thursday, August 8, 2019, at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home in Midland. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM Thursday in the Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in Resthaven Memorial Park, Midland.Arrangements are under direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home and Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com .,
