Joan Shipman

Joan Sutton Shipman, 96, of Brevard, passed away on Friday, January 05, 2018 at The Oaks of Brevard. Joan and her twin sister, Doris, were born on September 30, 1921 in Safron Walden, Essex, England to Alfred William and Emily Mary Freestone Sutton.
Joan trained as a nanny and worked for several years for a family in her hometown. When WWII began Joan signed up with Women's Land Army and was posted to Dines Farm north of Culchester.
She often talked about how frozen her hands were as she pulled sugar beets from the fields in winter and how they watched the planes as they left the surrounding air bases wondering how many would return.
She met her husband, Otis Hamilton Shipman, during an air raid in Dedham, Essex. Otis was stationed at Boxted Airfield with the 386th Bomb Group.
She and Otis married October 11, 1945 in Safron Walden at St. Mary's Parish Church. Otis returned to duty in France, was discharged, and sent back to the states. Joan followed, leaving England on May 1,1946. They built their home on Country Club Road where she continued to live until 2007.
Joan said her new family may have been speaking English but she could not understand a word they said. (nor they her) She kept much of her accent until her death, always proud to be English.
Joan continued to care for children, first in her home, then opening Kiddie Korner Nursery with the help of her daughter and friends Jessie Lance and Doris Swann.
After Otis retired they visited their family in England and had more time to spend with their grandchildren. Joan has been a member of the Brevard Wesleyan Church for over 50 years, making many lifelong friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Otis, and much loved daughter Susan; her brothers Alf, Percy, Frank and George and sisters Lizzie, Alice, Fan, Wynn and Doris.
She is survived by her sister Nancie Cartmel of Halingfield, UK and many nieces and nephews. Also surviving is her daughter, Elizabeth Galloway (Otis), grandson Robert Galloway (Cindy), granddaughter Heather Webb (Rodney), great-granddaughters Cheoah Landis (Chris) and Ivy Hoover (Kye) and great-grandsons Brexton and Sebastian Landis; Grandson Andrew Baynard (Farrah), great-grandson Toby and Great-granddaughter Ansly; Grandson James Suttles (Jennifer), great-grandson Jackson and great-granddaughters Piper, Jaden and Maple.
Graveside Services for Joan Shipman will be held at 11:00 on Tuesday, January 9, 2018 at Little River Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Hank Moffitt officiating.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org
"When I die think only this of me, here is a corner of this land that is forever England."
To leave a condolence for the family of Joan Shipman, please visit "obituaries" at www.moore-fh.com .
Moore- Blanchard Funerals & Cremations is serving the family.