Francis Lipe

Francis Hatley Lipe, 86, of Mountview Court, died peacefully on Saturday, June 1, 2013 at Tucker Hospice House. His funeral will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 5 at St. John's Lutheran Church, Concord. Officiating will be the Rev. Dr. Mark Ericson. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, June 5 at 10 a.m. at the church, prior to the funeral. Francis was born August 10, 1926 in Stanly County to the late Dora Hatley and Clarence Lipe. He was a World War II U.S. Navy veteran. He enjoyed vegetable gardening and woodworking. He delighted in leaving a big bag of fresh garden veggies on his friends' doorstep or customizing a beautiful pie safe for his wife, Ann. In his younger years Francis briefly worked at the Hugh Gray Hosiery Mill. He made his career at Sears, and worked his retirement years at Mt. Pleasant Hardware. He was educated in the Mount Pleasant Schools and was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Concord. Francis is survived by his wife of 60 years, Ann Crowell Lipe of Concord; sons, Greg Lipe of Florence, SC and Gary Lipe of Concord; one sister, Lena L. Davidson; niece, Donna Carter; nephew, Don Ritchie, all of Mt. Pleasant. He is preceded in death by brother Houston Lipe, and sister, Evelyn L. Smith. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, 100 St. John's Church Road, Concord, NC 28025.