Lake Toxaway – Gertha Edward "Sonny" Shipman, 74, went home to be with His Lord on Thursday, January 6, 2011 at the Memorial Campus of Mission Hospitals. A native of Transylvania County, he was the son of the late Gertha Fleetwood Shipman and Mildred Hamilton Shipman. He was also preceded in death by his first wife, Joan Shipman, a son, Eddie Shipman, and a brother, Robert Earl Shipman. Mr. Shipman attended Faith Baptist Church. Sonny was an avid golfer. He was retired from E. I. DuPont but continued to work as a plumber. He also continued to enjoy farming. Surviving are his wife, Norma S. Shipman; daughter, Pamela S. Lee and husband Larry of Six Mile, SC; son, Scott E. Shipman and wife Teresa of Monroe, NC; sisters, Virginia Manley of Port Kent, NY, Sarah Julen of Brevard and Joanna Byrd and husband Ken of Brevard; grandchildren, Joanna Deaton, Garrin Shipman, and Jacob Deaton. The funeral service will be held at 3 pm Sunday, January 9, 2011 in the Chapel of Moody-Connolly Funeral Home with Rev. Kyle Reese, Rev. Dr. Gene Blackburn, and Rev. Dr. David Julen officiating. Burial will be in Gillespie-Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1 until 3 pm Sunday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Faith Baptist Church Building Fund, Lake Toxaway, NC.