Robert Shipley

Robert Shipley was born June 24, 1936 and passed away Tuesday, February 20, 2008 at his home after a battle with lung cancer.

Robert retired from Wal-Mart Lawn & Garden Center 11 years ago. He was a leader of Shipley's Brothers Bluegrass Band, playing years across Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. Robert was a self-taught musician, playing the fiddle, mandolin, banjo, autoharp, and piano. "His musical ability was God's gift. Something born in him."

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bertsie Thomas Shipley and Ida Crawford Shipley; brothers, Claude, Clay, Cleve, and Cecil Shipley; and an infant brother and sister.

Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Ora Blanche Shipley; daughters, Barbara Duncan and husband Ken, Theriese Travis and husband Johnny; son, Michael Shipley and wife Tammy; grandchildren, Sarah and Dalton Travis, Erin Duncan, Jessee and Ryan Shipley; special niece, Kathy Duncan; brothers, Bertsie "June" Shipley Jr. and wife Marie, Chester "Cotton" Shipley and wife Bernice, and Clarence "Bill" Shipley and wife Geraldine; and several nieces and nephews.

Special thanks for the faithful visits by members and pastor, Clint Ramey of Solomon's Temple Baptist Church. Also special thanks to Wellmont Hospice, Melissa Scheurer and Rebecca Sutherland, Dr. Reid Blackwelder, Dr. Rose, daddy's family physician who he dearly loved, and Dr. Daryl Pierce, Cancer Outreach.

Calling hours are from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, Fall Branch. Services will follow at 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home with Rev. Clint Ramey and Rev. Keith Williams officiating.

Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday at Light Family Cemetery in Kingsport.

Pallbearers will be Tom Shipley, Don Shipley, Keith Shipley, Ken Duncan, R. J. Duncan, Nat Mullenix, Johnny Travis, Chris Littleton, and Kenneth Martin.