Leona Marie Hughes-Shipman, 81, of Bryson City passed away on May 3, 2021. She was born in Jackson County on November 29, 1939 to the late Jerry Edward and Nancy Pauline Byrd.
Leona worked at Swain County Hospital before moving to work at Western Carolina Digestive Consultants. After retiring, she began a second career at Ace Hardware; most people knew her from the time she spent here.
She was of the Baptist Faith and was an active member of Mount Zion Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School and was active in Vacation Bible School. In addition, she enjoyed sewing, painting, cooking and canning, and made the best biscuits and gravy in Western North Carolina.
Mrs. Hughes-Shipman is survived by her husband Tom Shipman. In addition, she is survived by three sons, Mark Cook, Kevin Cook, and Keith Cook, and their wives Amy Cook, Susan Cook, and Lisa Cook, whom she considered daughters. She is also survived by six grandchildren, Ryan, Heather, Carolyn, April, Dawson, and McKenzie Cook; eight step grandchildren, Lorlalei and Caroline McSweeny, Nikki Warren, Jaime Perkins, Karla Fisher, Aaron Hughes, Johnathon Hughes, and Madison Hughes; one great grandchild, Emily Rose Cook; two sisters, Peggy Sherrill, and Pat Frady.
She is survived by many special family members, the extended Cook family, John Cook, Reetha Orr, Pat, Barb, and Tina Royster; the extended Shipman family Bill Shipman (Stephanie), and children Emily and Sarah Shipman; step children, John Hughes, Carolyn Lossiah, Larry Hughes, and Mike Hughes. Leona is also survived by her extended church family, which she held very dear in her heart.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by two sisters Francis Coggins and Ruby Jean Byrd and one brother Richard Byrd.
A funeral service was held on Saturday, May 8th, 2021, at 3:00pm at the Chapel of Crisp Funeral Home. Burial followed at Brendle Hill Cemetery. Reverend David Watkins wofficiated. The family received friends from 2:00pm until 3.