Susan Shipman Backus passed away peacefully in her home February 14th at the age of 70 surrounded by her family.
She was born in Jacksonville to her mother, Florence and her father, Roscoe Shipman Jr., The third of four children.
She graduated Jacksonville high school in 1971. She attended the University of Montevallo, making many lifelong friends with a group of girls who are all still friends to this day. She graduated Montevallo in 1975 with a B.S in Early Childhood Education. She started her career at the Jacksonville Child Development Center as the four-year-old pre-K teacher. After having two children, she took time away from her career to raise them and care full time for her ailing father and grandmother. She returned to teaching at Kitty Stone Elementary school and then at Kids Junction as the pre-K teacher. As her children were getting older, she went to work for the family owned restaurant Lee’s BBQ as the breakfast cook working from 4 AM to 2 PM giving her time in the afternoons to run her children to all of their activities.
After the Restaurant, working two jobs at once, she went to work at Burkes Outlet and started a second career with Second Chance as a domestic violence advocate and case manager. She was a sexual assault forensic exam, SAFE, volunteer. She opened and was the Director of the Legacy House, a shelter for elderly women. She retired in 2020.
Her passion and purpose in life was caring for others, whether it be teaching children or helping women of domestic violence situations. She enjoyed spending time with her children, traveling, going to thrift stores and estate sales, reading, painting and watching Jeopardy and Alabama football.
She is survived by her daughter, Katherine and son-in-law Vince Conn.
Her son, Spencer, and daughter-in-law, Valerie Backus, a grandson Sawyer Backus.
Brother Roscoe Shipman III and his family. “Siblings in love”, Pat Waterhouse, Johnny Taylor, Glenda Taylor and goddaughters Trisha, Biddle and Abby Crist, and many wonderful, lifelong friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Florence Greenleaf Shipman Fortenberry and Roscoe A. Shipman, Jr., A sister, Judy Shipman Miller and brother Dennis Shipman . Grandparents, Elizabeth and Roscoe Shipman Sr., and W.I. and Francis Greenleaf and the father of her children Bill Backus.
Family and friends are invited to share in the food and fellowship as we celebrate her on Sunday, Feb. 25th beginning at 2 PM at her home, 45 Cross St., Jacksonville, Al.
