Meet Your Neighbor Alma (Martin) Shipman, born north of Colchester on December 28, 1910.
Alma attended Woodville Country School near Colchester and Fountain Green High School her last three years. She attended Western Illinois State Teachers College in Macomb for 1 year and began her teaching career in 1928.
She later went on to finish her degree and graduated from Western in 1962. She retired from teaching full-time in 1976, but continued teaching as a substitute.
Alma married Fred Shipman in 1930. They had 8 children. Her husband and 2 of her children are deceased. She also has 42 grandchildren and 40 great-grandchildren.
Some of the country schools she taught in were: Walnut, Woodville, McGuffy, Rossville, Franklin, Oakhill and Fairville. She also taught in Plymouth and finished in Colchester. Her current mailman was a student of hers in Plymouth.
Alma taught Sunday School at Majorville and Webster from 1948 until 3 years ago. She also was Secretary and Treasurer for her church from 1942 until 2003 (except for 1 year during that time). She has played the piano at church since 1948 and is still playing for the Sunday School hour, but gave up the Worship hour playing one year ago.
Alma enjoys hand work of all kinds, included crocheting and working with plastic canvas. She has done some knitting and had quilting classes in her home for several years. She has always enjoyed teaching and spending time with her family.
Alma has lived in Webster since 1940.