Frances Mae Gourley Shiplett

September 25, 1931 - July 17, 2020

One year ago Heaven gained a most amazing angel, our mom Frances Shiplett. We remember your passing today, mom, and celebrate your life. You are forever in our thoughts. Your laugh, smile & our memories of you are treasures we keep in our hearts. We miss you more than words can say. Frances Mae Gourley Shiplett, 88 years young, passed away at 5:55 pm on Friday, July 17, 2020, at home surrounded by her family. Frances was born on September 25, 1931 in Buncombe, Illinois to Rudy and Nova (Hunsaker) Gourley. She was united in marriage to Joe Shiplett on August 22, 1953 in Buncombe, Illinois. Together they shared nearly 56 years of marriage before Joe’s death in 2009. Frances fulfilled numerous achievements throughout her life. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree from University of Illinois, Urbana, and a Master of Music degree from Southern Illinois University (received while she was working full time and raising 5 children). She enjoyed a 35- year career as a music educator. Most of those years were in Carbondale’s District 95. Every child in Carbondale knew the words to “This Land is Your Land,” “Fifty Nifty United States,” and “God Bless America,” which ended most of her spring sings. She retired from teaching in 1992 and enjoyed 28 years of retirement. Before the passing of her husband, Joe, they traveled the world, having visited 6 continents. Frances achieved her goal of visiting all 7 continents in 2010. She attended the First United Methodist Church in Carbondale, where she sang in the choir, played in the bell choir, and counted the collection most Sunday’s. Between her “lunch bunch” and her “nickel putter’s club” and attending cultural and sports events, she led a very active life. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma and Sigma Alpha Iota. And she loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Survivors include her children, Susan Shiplett Ashbaker of Princeton, New Jersey, Chuck Shiplett (Gina) of Sparta, Tennessee, Carol Manis (Bill) of Murphysboro, Patti Exstein (Ted) of Idstein, Germany, and Barb Shiplett (Betty Montgomery) of Carbondale; 8 grandchildren Bryan Manis (Lisa) of Kentucky, Steven Manis (Savannah) of Texas, Jennifer Birkner (Adam) of McLeansboro, Katie Vaught (Ernie) of Virginia, Mallory Shiplett of Kentucky, Adam Exstein of Virginia, August Ashbaker (Amber Ahronian) of Boston, and Ben Exstein of Virginia; 4 great grandchildren, Bryleigh and Cash Manis of Texas and Abigail and Oliver Manis of Kentucky. She is preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her brother, Robert Gourley, and one granddaughter, Lindsey Nicole Ashbaker. The family of Frances Shiplett invite all who knew her to help us honor her in a Celebration of Life Open House, hosted by the family; Saturday, July 24, 2021 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm at the First United Methodist Church, Fellowship Hall in Carbondale. There will be a service of remembrance at 2:30 pm. Light refreshments will be provided. The family request for all to comply with state & local health regulations regarding COVID-19. Individuals who are not fully vaccinated are asked to wear a mask. The preferred form of remembrance is through donations to First United Methodist Church Music Department, the Boys and Girls Club of Southern Illinois, or Residential Hospice. A special note from her family: Thank you, mom for your unconditional love. For being that warm light we can bask in and gravitate to in good times or bad. Your steadiness and support has buoyed each one of us through our challenges in life. We know you are there as our life raft, carrying us to solid ground when the ground beneath us is wavering and unsteady. Thank you for making this world a better place, simply by being you. We can carry on, knowing all you have showed us, taught us, and instilled in us will be within us forever. Your light and love will always be in our hearts, your presence will be felt each time we show kindness toward others, and the whisper of the wind, singing in the trees, will remind us of your music. These lasting legacies will be cherished and passed on to the next generations. Your light will burn bright forever. Mom will be greatly missed. Crain Pleasant Grove-Murdale Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.