Martha Jane McBrierty Shipley
Martha Jane McBrierty Shipley, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and sister, passed peacefully into God’s arms on September 3, 2024, in Houston, Texas. “Nona”, as she was affectionately known by her 13 grandchildren and 9 greatgrandchildren, was glowing from the day she was born in Ennis, Texas on December 26, 1932, for 91 precious years. She graduated from Ennis High School and achieved a Bachelor of Science from Texas State College for Women, where she was chosen as Aggie Sweetheart and Cotton Bowl Princess by virtue of her radiant beauty and grace. After college, Jane’s intelligence and wit landed her a position with a US Congressman to work on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.
Jane’s sense of adventure gave her plans to move to Europe after her time in DC. When fellow Ennis native, Robert Shipley, a recent graduate of the Naval Academy, caught wind of these plans, he swept her off her feet and asked her to marry him. Robert and Jane’s nimble feet were talented enough to win them a dancing prize in the Bahamas on their honeymoon, but more importantly prepared them for the adventures that were yet to come. As a wife of a Naval officer, Jane and Robert moved frequently, but Jane made their house a home no matter if they were living in Florida, Hawaii, Virginia, Ecuador, Panama, Japan, or Texas.
Jane’s most cherished accomplishment was her 59 blissful years spent as a loyal wife to Robert and mother to Todd and wife Melissa, Ross and wife Shaun, Kirk and wife Leslie, Kara and husband Ray. Nona was passionate about sports, especially if her children or grandchildren were playing. That’s why her favorite teams included the Houston Oilers, Texas A&M soccer, football and baseball, Columbia Lions, WV Mountaineers, NY Mets and SVAA Mustangs. Jane spent her entire life devoted to the church and was a cherished member of the altar guild at the Church of the Holy Communion in Dallas. She was passionate about Parkinson’s research and so fortunate to be involved with the Houston Area Parkinson’s Association and all of its wonderful community.
Jane is survived by her wonderful sister, Lucy, and brother, Harry and wife Vikki. Known as the Shipley matriarch, Nona leaves behind her four children, in addition to her 13 grandchildren: Rachel and husband Brooks Raley, Riley, Ridge and wife Marley Shipley; Cole and wife Lexi, Evan and wife AuBrey, Sheridan Shipley; Halie and husband Zac Bryan, Lauren and husband Chad Cox, Parker Shipley; and Wells, Sloan and husband William Cummins, Ford and wife Madison, Knox Childress. She will be dearly missed by her great-grandchildren: Raelynn, Rayney, Ramsey and Witten Raley; Norah Shipley; Hill Shipley; Miller and Islay Bryan; Tomie Knox and Heath Cummins.
Jane was loaned to us by our Heavenly Father and we will always remember her grace, love and humility.
