Irene Watson Shipman, age 58, of Morganton, passed away on Friday, May 27, 2016 at her home. She was born in Fannin County on March 8, 1958 to the late Herchel Coleman and Sally Jones Watson. She worked as a Machine Operator for Levi Strauss. She is preceded in death by her parents, Herchel and Sally Watson; daughter, Angela Mae Brooks; and brothers, Fred Watson, Bill Watson, Miley Watson, and Frank Watson.

She is survived by her daughter, Crystal Elaine Shipman of Atlanta; brothers, Homer (Mary) Watson of Dalton and Tommy Watson of Dalton; sisters, Martha (Richard) Long of Blue Ridge, Pauline (Junior) White of Blue Ridge, and Iva Lee Ledford of Dalton.

Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, June 2, 2016 at 2:00 PM from Hipps Chapel Church with Min. William Long officiating. Music will be provided by Pauline and Junior White, and Allen Davenport. Interment will follow in the Hipps Chapel Church Cemetery. The following gentlemen will serve as pallbearers: Thomas Ledford, Herchel Watson, Kenneth Watson, Luke Lewis, Johnny Phillips, and Billy Joe Postell. The family will visit with friends at the funeral home on Thursday from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.akinsfuneralhome.com. Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge is in charge of the arrangements.