Jerri Kay Shipley Stevens, 74, of the Courtyards Senior Living of Johnson City, Tenn., passed away on Tuesday, September 18, 2018, due to complications from Alzheimers. Jerri was born in Johnson City, Tenn., to the late Joe and Bernice Smith Shipley.
Jerri was a graduate of Elizabethton High School, Class of 1961, and Banner Elk School of Nursing, where she became an LPN in 1962. During her nursing career, she worked at Carter County Memorial Hospital, Phillips Magnavox of Arden, N.C., and MSHA Woodridge Hospital in Johnson City, from which she retired. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Elizabethton and she loved animals, music and was an avid car enthusiast.
Those left to cherish her memory include her daughter and son-in-law, Allison L. Bare O’Dell and Travis of Elizabethton; her sister, Jobelle Hood and husband Gayle of Elizabethton; her brother, Sam Shipley and wife Vickie, also of Elizabethton; her former husband, Bob Bare of Elizabethton; and her special friends, Sue White and Lillie Fregosi, both of Elizabethton, and Penny Henry of Kingsport. Several nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.
A service to celebrate the life of Jerri Kay Shipley Stevens will be conducted at 4 p.m. Saturday, September 22, in the Chapel of Peace at Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, with Rev. Raymond Amos Sr. officiating. The family will receive friends in the funeral home chapel from 2 until 4 p.m. Saturday, prior to the service, or at the residence of her sister, Jobelle, at other times. The family wishes to thank the nursing staff of The Courtyards Senior Living in Johnson City, Kimberly with the Choices Program and the staff of Amedisys Hospice of Elizabethton, especially her nurse, Lora Smith, for their love and excellent care given to Jerri. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to the Carter County Humane Society, P.O. Box 134, Elizabethton, TN 37644 or to Alzheimers Association, 2319 Browns Mill Road, STE D6, Johnson City, TN 37604. Online condolences may be shared with the family on our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com
Mrs. Stevens and her family are in the care of Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton. Office: (423) 542-2232. Service Information Line: (423) 543-4917.