During her public school days Willie Evelyn took an active part in school sports and was especially active in softball and basketball competition.
In 1935 she graduated from Anson High School, Anson, Texas, and enrolled in Hardin Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. During her two-years as a student of this University Willie Evelyn received special voice training and was presented in recital by her teacher, Lola Gibson Deaton.
Willie Evelyn Kennedy was married to J. C. Shipman, Jr. in 1937 and, along with her husband, enrolled in Carver Chiropractic College, Oklahoma City. During her tenure as a student in Carver College she served as receptionist and specially assistant to Dr. Willard Carver, president of the college. As an intern in the Carver College Public Clinic, Dr. Evelyn excelled by being number one (1) in her class in numbers of patients cared for. She was graduated from chiropractic college with a D.C. Degree in January 1940.
Upon graduation Dr. Evelyn, along with Dr. J. C. established an office in Seminole, Texas, and practiced there until the beginning of World War Two in 1942. During this war she made her residence in Abilene, Texas and in 1946 entered active practice in Abilene.
As a member of District 7, T.S.C.A., Dr. Shipman has served her District as director, secretary, vice president and president and has played an active part in arranging for special meetings in the area sponsored by the State Association. She helped organize the Taylor County Chiropractic Society and has held all offices in this organization.
Always active in affairs of the Texas State Chiropractic Association, Dr. Evelyn has had an especial interest in building membership and has served as chairman of the membership Procurement Committee under several presidents for a total of eleven years in this position. Members will long remember some of the challenging ideas which she advanced for securing membership applications. She knew the thinking of Doctors throughout the state having visited every district one or more times while Dr. J. C. was serving as v-president and as president of the T.S.C.A.
With a desire to improve the chiropractic image and gain more knowledge of public relations, Dr. Evelyn took the Dale Carnegie Course in 1946. She served as a graduate assistant instructor for many classes and later took the Dale Carnegie advanced course. She helped organize a local chapter of Dale Carnegie Clubs International and held all offices in this club.
While practicing full time and taking an active part in T.S.C.A. affairs, Dr. Evelyn still found time to devote to her children, Kenney and Penney. She took an active part in Cub Scouting and was instrumental in raising funds to build a little League Park and Pony League Park in Abilene. Since Penney played two instruments in the band and was a majorette, Dr. Evelyn was a working member of the Abilene High School Bank Parents Club. She helped raise funds which enabled the band to attend out of town football games and often served as a sponsor accompanying the band on their trips. At this writing her son, Kenney, having graduated from Texas A&M University, is attending law school at Texas University. Kennedy married Jo Ann Andersen and they have one son, Chad. Penney graduated from Abilene High School and has completed two and one-half years work at McMurry College. She is still active in twirling circles and is a certified instructor and judge of the National Baton Twirling Association.
In 1963 Dr. Evelyn Shipman was honored as “Chiropractor of the Year” by the Texas State Chiropractic Association and received the coveted Keeler Plaque, the highest award a member of the chiropractic profession can receive.
This review of the professional life of Dr. Evelyn Shipman is recorded by Dr. J. C. Shipman. For three years Dr. Clyde Keeler has tried hard to get Dr. Evelyn to supply the information given here. Many times she has taken paper and pen in hand but always ended up at the loss for words.
We will always recall the physical reactions of Dr. Evelyn Shipman when her name was called to receive the Keeler Plaque and it is interesting to note that this physical phenomena still effects her every year when the plaque is given. She breaks out in little red hives. This never happened to her before and never happens at any other time.
