This page has links to my family genealogy which is under construction at this time. As you know genealogy is a never ending search for one's roots; whether at a musty old courthouse, or on line looking in pages and pages of census records, or Family History handed down through generations of kin. Some names are used several times in each generation to help confuse us, their descendants. I hope that each will learn a little about a Wonderful Daughter to her Parents. As we go through just a few minutes to tell a little about her.

I hope that you will enjoy this SPECIAL PAGE as it is dedicated in memory of our daughter.

Karla E Shipp.

1956---------------2004

 

Karla's Dedication Page

 

Karla Elizabeth Shipp, the only child of Kenneth and Estelle Lindsey Shipp

 

Karla Elizabeth Shipp,Was Born December 10, In Arkansas.

Karla Elizabeth Shipp, was named after both grand mothers; Cora Elizabeth Underwood Lindsey and Grace

Downs Baker Shipp. This is unique in that she is also named after her Paternal Grandmother Elizabeth Craig Downs.

Karla grew up in the Pleasant Grove area, as did her father, who was actually born and raised in this area.

Karla loved this community in which she grew up, with so many pleasant memories with cousins and family.

Karla Elizabeth Shipp attended Pleasant Grove Elementary School, which started in the same wooden school that her father and cousins attended. Karla completed grades 1-7 at this school. At the time, this was the only school in the Pleasant Grove system. They did not have band, football, or basketball. However the school did have a softball team. Karla played softball while in Pleasant Grove. Her baseball glove remains in wonderful condition today. Sad to say; her bat and softballs disappeared,,, not to be returned.

Karla then attended Pine Street Junior High School in Texarkana, where these children were 2 years behind most band students. They had to overcome many obstacles to make that band and there were many to overcome. Still, they never regreted all the hard work that they did to prove themselves and achieve their goal; and they did achieve their goals .

Karla then attended and graduated from Texas Senior High School in Texarkana, Texas, where she was a member of the well known Texas Senior High School Marching Band. While she was involved with this Band, they received UIL Sweepstakes honors. Karla was band Librarian under the direction of Mr. Bob Ingram-Band Director.

 

Karla played B Flat Clarinet and Tenor Saxaphone in what many considered to be the best band Texas High had presented in many years. Her desire to play tenor saxaphone was so intent that during try-outs, she beat out students that had played Tenor Saxaphone since they had started band. By continuing to achieve her goals, as mentioned before, she earned the right to participate as Concert Band Chair playing that Tenor Saxaphone.

Karla's saxaphone is unique in that it was probably the only saxaphone in town with two thumb rest, due to her short fingers. Today her Clarinet and her Saxaphone are among her parents most prized articles that they purchased for her. They are cleaned on a regular basis, but gee... the old folks do not have the air way to blow them!

Karla Elizabeth Shipp, graduated from Texas Senior High School, and enrolled in the Texarkana College program for Vocational Nurses. Upon graduation she went to work for a local clinic for a very well known pediatric doctor. This doctor remembers his first nurse very well. She left this position and enrolled in the Texarkana College Registered Nurse Program. Karla then worked part time at Wadley Regional Medical Center after she graduated from Texarkana College and received her ADN(Associates Degree In Nursing). She returned to work for Wadley Regional Medical Center as a Registered Nurse. She later left Wadley and went to work for Bowie County Health Center as a Staff Registered Nurse. She also enrolled in Texarkana College again, part time at night, to work on her Masters Degree in Nursing. It was about this time that she left Bowie County Health Department and went to work for the Visiting Nurses Assocation. This was Karlas's niche' in nursing. She traveled many miles some day, rounding(calling on or attending) the patients in all sorts of weather and hours. She dearly loved patient contact. She must have made an impact on them as well, for they quickly started making hand made articles of appreciation for Karla, even fresh vegetables. It was indeed a sad day when Karla was forced to leave her position at VNA due to her sudden onset of a dreaded Neuro-Muscular Disease. This was a great loss to the nurses for she was really a good caring nurse in the profession that she LOVED DEARLY and to her patients as well. Such a tragic loss of her talents that she had acquired.

Karla was a TRUE American in that she was very patriotic. She had her father place a flag pole in her yard which she proudly flew the America flag at all times. She loved roses and beautiful roses grew on our yard fence. She also loved DOGWOOD TREES; this reference is actually where this site acquired its name. Simply put,,, this is our grandest tribute to a wonderful daughter.

Karla lost her battle with the Neuro-Muscular Disease 8 years after the onset. The last two years almost totally cared for by her dad and mom. Such a loss of a beautiful, fun loving daughter that was so full of life.

Today an American flag does fly and wave in the breeze beside her grave site... along with seasonal flowers.

 

 

 

NURSES

The word "Nurse"-Have you ever really given thought to the true meaning?

The Nurse, a most highly trained and skilled individual who, for the most part, loves their profession.

The Nurse, as most people do not know how they have spent hours and many years to achieve their goals- - -As A Nurse.

The Nurse is not just a word. No,,, on second thought, that is not true.

The Nurse, most of whom are very compassionate and steadfast belief that they are really a "RareBreed".

The Nurse may not always be in the limelight, which may prematurely give 'The Patients' cause to question the level of importance of the individual who is responsible for their well being. The patient may falsely tend to take everything for granted what nurses do for them during their healing processes on any given shift at any given work place or just simply being the "Nurse Neighbor"; the free advise and care they provide. They may never think, "What did it take for this person to 'Learn' to properly and efficiently take care patients. Now stop! Have you ever given thought WHERE you would be tonight without the help of that "Ol' NURSE"?

The Nurse comes in all ages, sizes, appearences and with all levels of skill. Did you ever give thought as to how in the world they manage their patient care, in a day or night?

The Nurse; yes they still have to deal with the Doctors and many of them, the patients families as well.

The Nurse would no longer be when Nurses like me decide that, well folks think of us as though WE need not be!

The Nurse can never be replaced by a Robot; for even as smart as they are, they can never replace the NURSE.

The Nurse has to love their profession or in order to stay with the nursing profession. So Folks,,, next time you have contact with that "Ol' Nurse", take notice: They are becoming extinct! For there are the Nurses out there that have what it takes to handle all the STRESS and LOW PAY that these folks always seem to get! My hat is off to all of Nurses. Now you all know if you are honest, true, compassionate and really 'Live And Breathe' Nursing!

The Nurse, each of who meets all of these requirements, is Special!

So I say to you each of my fellow Nurses: GOD BLESS YOU and GUIDE YOU.

Help us to be what we set out to be... just the BEST DARN NURSES Around.

Now, I HAVE that confidence,,, do YOU? I really hope so because we are "THE NURSES"!

Dedicated first to my daughter Karla Elizabeth Shipp, R.N.

and then to all of the other Shipp Relatives that are"Nurses"

and then to ALL of the other DEDICATED Nurses out there.

written by: Estelle Lindsey Shipp December 02, 2001- Copywrited material on this date.

Karla's Dedication Page

 

 

More Pictures of Karla

Copyrighted 2006: Website created and maintained by Estelle Shipp

This is a free site but all inforamtion contained herein is copyrighted by the webmaster/owner of Estelle's Dogwood Patch. This site is not public domain and the information and images shown on this site should not be taken without the owner's permission in writing.

These fantastic graphics I am using on this page were generously provided free of charge for non-commerical sites, as the "terms of use" requires me to be careful not to furnish images to others. Also, I do not "mix and match" images from more than one source. At the bottom of each page you will find a link to the individual site for that page. Please advise if you find a page or two that I have overlooked. I will make every effort to correct it and please accept my apologies for any oversights.

This site dedicated to:

Karla Elizabeth Shipp

1956- 2004

Page last updated march 10, 2007