Gladys Victoria Shipman McAbee

Gladys Victoria Shipman McAbee, 95, passed away peacefully in her home in Asheville, NC, on May 8, 2025.

She was born on April 19, 1930, the daughter of the late Homer and Hazel Estelle Shipman. She was also preceded in death by her husband, William Ernest “Junebug” McAbee, Jr.; her sons, Wayne McAbee and Charles McAbee; and her siblings, Mattie, Emma, Homer, Vernie, Louise, Ruby, George, Jessie and Donnie.

She was a seamstress by trade, loved to shop especially for clothes, enjoyed traveling to see different places (including the Ukraine on a mission trip), had a laugh that filled the whole room with joy, and loved flowers (when asked how she had such a green thumb, she would say “you have to talk to ‘em”).

Known as Mom, Mama, Granny, Mamaw, Silly Bee, Granny and Grandma, Gladys was always referred to as a “strong woman.” Her real strength was love: love for God, family, friends, and everyone she met! Gladys always brought out the best in others and after meeting her, you never walked away feeling like a stranger. She loved each member of her enormous family equally and unconditionally. You could always count on her door to be open with a cold RC Cola in the “icebox” (and biscuits sitting on her kitchen table in her younger years).

Gladys is survived by her children, Michael McAbee (Judi), Dorothy Shepherd (Frank), Tina Lucas (Doug), Verna Gentry (Grover “Jr”); her daughters-in-law, June McAbee and Cynthia McAbee; her grandchildren, Jeff McAbee (Xylina), Sarah Worley, Tommy McAbee, Wendi McAbee, Dustin McAbee (Lisa), Shirley Shepherd, Amanda Shepherd, Rachel Trull (Jonathan), Angela Ramsey (Clint), Laura Worley (Adam), Timothy Norton (Brittany), Tamara Dillingham (Kyle), and Brett Gentry (Tosha); 33 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great-grandchildren.

The graveside service will be held on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Bethel Baptist Cemetery, 138 Ben Lippen Road, Asheville, NC 28806.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave. to help make things easier for her family.