Obituary of Elva Shipley

Elva Shipley, 89, of Lodi, CA., formerly of Colusa, passed away unexpectedly at a local hospital on the afternoon of December 13, 2007. Elva was born Elva Georgetta Strode on September 25, 1918 in Willows, CA to Howard and May Strode. As a child she lived in Willows, Williams, Maxwell, Oakland, and Sycamore. She graduated from Colusa Union High School in 1937. In high school she was known for her bright green Model T. She lived five miles out of town and not only drove herself to school, but also her brother Eldon and sister Virginia. After graduation she went to work for the Production Credit Corporation in Colusa and later transferred to the Willows office where she met her husband, Charles Vernon Shipley, Jr. After a whirlwind romance and courtship, they were married on January 22, 1941 in Reno, NV. Upon her marriage her position was terminated. It was still the depression and most married women were not part of the work force. During World War II, while her husband was defending our country as a member of the Army Air Corps, Elva worked in the Colusa County Clerk Recorder's office. On Sundays she would go over to an area west of Williams and work as a volunteer "Spotter" watching for enemy aircraft. In November 1945 she drove back to Columbus, Georgia where she joined her husband who was stationed at Lawson Field, Ft. Benning, GA. They returned to California in February of 1946 as a family of 2 ½. Elva was expecting. It was at that point that she became a full time housewife and in October a mother. Elva was very active in various community organizations. She was active in her daughter's life as not only a room mother every year, but as a Brownie Scout leader for two years. She was also active in the local PTA for thirteen years. After her daughter left for college, she became very active in the Colusa Woman's Club serving as president more than once. She also served as an election board member at various precincts throughout Colusa.