Obituary of Melvin Alver Shipes

Melvin Alver Shipes (October 20, 1922 - May 16, 2016) Melvin Shipes, 93, passed away on Monday evening, May 16 at National Health Care in West Columbia. He was married to Mildred W. Shipes for 66 years. Melvin was born in Jasper County, son of the late Alver and Addie Crosby Shipes. He retired from the Hampton Coca Cola Bottling Works after 44 years. He coached Little League Baseball in Hampton for 31 years and was instrumental in building new ball fields and growing and supporting the program. He served as the Commissioner of the Lowcountry Football League for many years. He loved young people and tried to provide a positive experience for all who came in contact with him. He was a deacon and Sunday school teacher for years and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Hampton at the time of his death. Melvin was an avid gardener. He was a WWII veteran and served briefly during the Korean Conflict. Surviving, in addition to his wife of 66 years, are; son: Derrell A. Shipes and wife Sarah of Lexington, daughters: Sonia S. Kelly and husband Robert, of Vilas, NC and Janis S. Corley and husband Larkin of Lexington; 6 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren; one brother: Warren Shipes of Paulkie Island, SC. He was preceded in death by a son: Jonathan Shipes, two sisters: Mary S. Rivers and Elizabeth S. Dunn, and two brothers: Heyward Shipes and Seabrook Shipes. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday at the First Baptist Church of Hampton, directed by Peeples-Rhoden Funeral Home in Hampton. Visitation will begin at 12:30 in the sanctuary prior to the service. Everyone is invited to a reception in the church fellowship hall immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hampton First Baptist Church 305 Oak Street East, Hampton, South Carolina 29924 or First Baptist Church of Boone 375 W. King Street Boone, NC 28607. Announcement is courtesy of Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory.