Velta Marie Garrett Shipps was born on June 14, 1940, in the community of Macon in North Little Rock, AR to the late Edmon Garrett and Molly Belle Harrod Garrett. Velta attended North Little Rock High School and shortly after graduation in 1958, she met an Air Force mechanic named James "Jim" Shipps. Jim fell in love with her kind and compassionate heart, and her beautiful smile. On July 1, 1960, Jim and Velta were married. In 2025 they celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.

Velta is survived by her husband, Jim Shipps, and three children, Gina (Eric) Vaught of Springdale, AR; Clay (Karina) Shipps of Lovettsville, VA; and Lynne (Jeff) Penn of Benton, AR; ten grandchildren, Thomas, Megan, Aaron, Jessica, Catharine, Mitchell, Juliana, Leslie, Meredith, and Samuel; seven great-grandchildren, Tyson, Jaxon, Briggs, Ella, Daniel, Bernard, and Olivia (on the way), and a nephew, David (Judy) Shipps of North Little Rock, AR.

Velta was a very hard worker. Her first job was at Veazey's Drug Store in North Little Rock at the age of 14, and her last job was for Harcros Chemical Co. from which she retired. She would tell you her greatest job of all was raising her children and keeping her home well kept for her family. Velta had many talents and hobbies. She loved to camp with her family, fish (always catching the most fish, while not even trying), making floral arrangements, sewing, painting, and was an excellent cook and baker. She was famous for her pie crust, pecan pie, and banana nut bread.

She was a member of the Dixie Car Club and the Old River Fishing Club, but her greatest accomplishment was bringing up her children in the admonition of the Lord.

Funeral services will be held at North Bryant Baptist Church, 2710 N. Prickett Rd.

Bryant, AR 72022 on February 3, 2026.

Visitation will be at 12pm and the funeral services immediately following at 1pm with online streaming at northbryantbaptist.org/livestream. The interment will be at Arkansas Memorial Gardens, 8507 AR-161 North Little Rock AR 72117.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Velta's name to the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, 449 Jack Stephens Dr. Little Rock, AR 72205, cancer.uams.edu.

Online guest book at www.ashbyfuneralhome.com