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Agnes and Robert Shipley Honored with Endowment

Story by Kathleen McFadden

Family members from as far away as Nevada and Ohio, along with many local friends, State Representative Cullie Tarleton and NC Grange President Jimmy Gentry, gathered at the Boone United Methodist Church last week to honor Robert and Agnes Shipley, the first couple of agriculture in the High Country.

The Shipleys thought the party last Friday evening was to celebrate Robert Shipley’s birthday—he was 95 years old on June 23—and in keeping with the ostensible purpose of the celebration, the large group sang a rousing chorus of “Happy Birthday.” A 95th birthday is indeed enough of a reason to celebrate, but in fact, the real reason for the gathering—a surprise to the honorees—was to announce the establishment of the Robert G. and Agnes D. Shipley Agricultural Endowment.

Before the endowment announcement, long-time friends Lillian Danner and Rick Howe spoke about the many accomplishments of the husband and wife team during their more than 60 years of service to Watauga County.

Agnes Shipley, who is a native of McGaheysville, Va., graduated from Madison College with a degree in home economics in the late 1930s. She is not only a gifted musician who taught piano lessons for many years, but also returned to school and obtained her certification in elementary education at Appalachian State Teachers College. Mrs. Shipley taught at Cove Creek until her retirement, all the while raising three children and supporting their 4-H activities, helping to run the family farm, participating in a variety of civic, church and community work and becoming well known for her beautiful flowers.

Robert Shipley, a Watauga County native, earned his bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech in dairy husbandry, animal husbandry and agriculture education and his master’s degree from Ohio State in animal husbandry. He served in the Army Air Corps in World War II and returned to Watauga County after the war, intending to begin studies in veterinary medicine in the fall. But an interim position as the ag teacher at Cove Creek became permanent, and Mr. Shipley settled in Vilas, farming land that had been in his family since 1872, raising livestock and teaching until his retirement at both Cove Creek and Watauga High School. Over the years, Mr. Shipley was instrumental in establishing the Boone Rotary, the Mountaineer Ruritan, the Cove Creek Grange and the annual Farm-City Banquet. The list of board seats he has filled—and continues to fill—is extensive, including organizations from the Burley Tobacco Stabilization Board to the Watauga Farm Bureau. Last year, he was inducted into the Western North Carolina Agricultural Hall of Fame and is also an inductee in the NC Livestock Hall of Fame.

The couple met at a church social in Grayson County and married in 1943. They will celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary in October.

After Danner and Howe detailed the Shipleys’ contributions, Sue Counts, director of the Watauga County Cooperative Extension, announced the real reason for the gathering—the kickoff for the endowment. “You’ve heard some wonderful things about these two citizens,” she said, “and this couple has created quite a legacy.”

Counts explained that the endowment would benefit youth agriculture programs in Watauga County, in keeping with the Shipleys’ many years of service to and mentorship of area youth. The NC Cooperative Extension Service Foundation at NCSU will administer the endowment.

Maurene Rickards explained how the endowment works. Once the fundraising goal of $15,000 is reached, the money is invested in high-yield, long-term investments and the interest will be used for youth programs. The Shipleys’ names will be associated with the endowment in perpetuity, and a committee that includes members of the Shipley family will determine each year how the funds are spent.

Already, after only one month of fundraising, Rickards said, 42 donors had contributed $6,615. “This is an amazing amount in one month,” she said.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Shipley were visibly moved by the announcement. Mr. Shipley addressed the group by saying, “I can’t believe it. Thank you for being here and for your goodness to me down through the years.”

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Rick Howe turned to Mr. Shipley and remarked, “Well, Bob, did we do a number on you or what?” Mr. Shipley grinned and said, “I’ll say you did a number on me.”

To contribute to the endowment, make checks payable to the Robert G. and Agnes D. Shipley Agricultural Endowment and mail them to NC Cooperative Extension Service Foundation, NCSU Box 7645, Raleigh, NC 27695-7645. Contributions are tax deductible.