Vertie Alexander Lipe

Published 12:00 am Friday, February 2, 2007

LANDIS – Vertie Alexander Lipe, of Landis, died of pneumonia at Rowan Regional Medical Center in Salisbury on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2007, surrounded by her loving family. A lifelong resident of Rowan County and a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Landis for over 70 years, she was born on Jan. 19, 1916, the daughter of the late John Ulysses Alexander and Fannie Kirk Alexander.

A devoted and nurturing wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend, she lived a life of service to others and was her children’s and grandchildren’s first teacher and best example of the embodiment of the Christian ideals of acceptance and unconditional love. She was particularly active in her church, singing in the choir and assuming many leadership roles over the years. She was Superintendent of the Children’s Sunday School, President of the Women of the Church, President of the Nell Lipe Circle, President of the Fellowship Club, served on the Music and Worship Committee, and at the time of her death was a valued member of the Long Range Planning Committee. Widowed in early middle age, she came into her own in her latter years, becoming a venerable member of her community and pillar of strength for her church. In March 2006, her congregation voted unanimously to name the new parish ministry building in her honor. She was an excellent cook, accomplished at sewing and needlework, enjoyed gardening and vacationing in the mountains, but most of all treasured time spent with her family, sharing in their milestones and accomplishments.

Mrs. Lipe was preceded in death by her husband, Phil Emmanuel Lipe, and recently by her son, Phil Emmanuel Lipe II. She is survived by her daughter, Betty Lipe Davis and husband John William Davis of Avon, Conn.; her son, Joseph Alexander Lipe and wife Carmie of Charlotte; grandchildren Leigh Davis Kelliher, husband Michael and son Lucas of Winchester, Mass., Michael Williams Davis, wife Cheryl and daughters Corey and Jaime of Farmington, Conn., Lori Davis Shield, husband Joseph and sons Samuel and Matthew of Avon Conn., Stephen John Davis, wife Kathryn and daughters Cameron and Phoebe of Chatham, N.J., Katharine Alexander Lipe of Raleigh, John Benjamin Lipe of Destin, Fla., and Mary Daymond Lipe of Washington, D.C. She is also survived by two sisters, Della Alexander and Margaret Alexander Hoke, both of Salisbury, and by many nieces and nephews.

Service: A 3 p.m. memorial service conducted by the Rev. Jarrod Lanning will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Landis on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2007, following a private burial. Visitation: The family will receive friends at the church after the service. Memorials: Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, Building Fund, 108 W. Rice St., Landis, NC 28088.

The Lipe family is being served by Linn-Honeycutt Funeral Home, Landis.