CLARENCE L. SHIPMAN

Clarence L. “Shorty” Shipman, 87, passed away peacefully with his children by his side on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026.

Born in Sumter, South Carolina on Aug. 6, 1939, Shorty spent all of his life in Sumter, where he met and married the love of his life, Beverly Turner Shipman. Together they shared 66 years of marriage filled with faith, family, friendship, food and travel.

Shorty became a member of St. John’s Methodist Church when the church was first established, and he devoted countless hours to his church family. Over the years, he served on practically every church committee, often as chairman. He was frequently called to provide sermons in the minister’s absence and taught Sunday School for adults for many years. As a Youth Group leader, he chaperoned camping trips to Myrtle Beach, helped to organize the haunted house that was along the main hall of the church, wrote Christmas poems and so much more.

Shorty dedicated over 30 years of service to the United States Postal Service, starting as a clerk/carrier performing window service, serving as accounting technician, then advancing to supervisor of Mail Processing, supervisor of Delivery and Collections, superintendent of Postal Operations, and eventually retiring as the postmaster of Hartsville, South Carolina.

Following Shorty’s retirement, he and Beverly enjoyed traveling extensively, taking 32 memorable trips throughout the United States and Canada with Christian Tours.

Shorty was a dedicated employee and believed in doing your best. When his children showed him their school assignments, regardless of how good the grade they achieved was, he always asked them why they didn’t make a 100. In the early years of his marriage, to help make ends meet, he drove a white van that his children called the bubble gum van and he serviced gumball machines in stores all over Sumter County. There were also years that he made extra holiday money by working as a department store Santa.

More than anything, Shorty loved his family and was so proud of them. He was a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, and a proud great-grandfather whose greatest happiness came from the people he loved.

Shorty was preceded in death by his wife, Beverly Turner Shipman, his son, David Young Shipman, his sister, Peggy Shipman Cook, and his brothers, James Shipman Jr. and Herbert Shipman.

He is survived by his daughter, Connie Moise (Marc); his son, Craig Shipman (Trish); his beloved grandchildren, Whitney Glenn (Steven), Taylor Daye (Levi), Sam Moise, David Moise, Andrew Shipman (Amber) and Courtney Taylor (Max); and his cherished great-grandchildren, Ruby, Riley, Sadie and Ember.

Shorty’s quick wit, work ethic, unwavering faith and love for family and friends will be remembered always by all who knew and loved him.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John’s Church, 136 Poinsett Dr., Sumter, S.C. 29150.

A small graveside service at Evergreen Memorial Park is planned for Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, at 2 p.m.

Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements.