Jimmie Marie Brophy Shipley was born February 28, 1958, at Elizabeth Hospital in Prairie Grove, Arkansas, to Ralph Daniel Brophy and Barbara Mae Davis, the only child. She died April 22, 2026.
At age 16, she attended Fayetteville High School East Campus for academics in the morning and West Campus Technical Vocational in the afternoon to learn a trade as a Certified Nursing Aide. After West Campus in the afternoon, she worked at Washington Regional Medical Center in her first career as a certified nurse’s assistant or aide for one dollar and fifty cents an hour.
The next hospital assignment was Fayetteville City Hospital, where she worked until graduation from Fayetteville High School. Jimmie, along with several high school friends, created their high school motto, “We’re the greatest class of all; ’76 will never fall.”
During her high school days, she managed to briefly enjoy being on the drill team; she loved to dance. She tried out for the Fayetteville High School singing group called The Tempos and the gymnastics team. She made alternate for both.
In the fall of 1976, she was accepted into the Associate Degree Registered Nurse Program at the University of Arkansas, graduating in 1979. Jimmie worked a variety of registered nursing careers throughout her lifetime, enjoying new experiences and challenges.
She loved her music, especially sitting on the balcony playing her Alvarez acoustic guitar (a gift from her dad on her 16th birthday) and her harmonica. She would rather write her own songs than repeat others. At the age of 37, she pursued a desire to teach, completing a Bachelor of Science in Education at the University of Arkansas.
She went on to proudly serve veterans at the VA Hospital in Fayetteville, where she earned multiple “Heart of the VA Awards,” which were nominated by veteran patients and employees.
After retiring from the VA with an incredible 42-year career in nursing, she spent her days writing and playing music and enjoying her grandkids, of whom she was most proud.
She was preceded in death by her mother’s second child, Jimmie’s half-brother, Tryan Howard, and her father, Ralph Brophy.
Jimmie is survived by her daughters, Jennifer Tschepikow (Nick) and Nicole Shipley (Sean McDonnell); and her grandchildren, Owen Tscehpikow, Ellis Tschepikow, Ralphy Sieren, and Mackie McDonnell; and many cherished extended family members and friends.
Funeral services will be held Friday, May 1, 2026, at Christian Life Cathedral in Fayetteville, with Pastor Steve Dixon officiating. The service will begin at 1 p.m.
Online condolences may be left at www.siscofuneralchapel.com.
Fayetteville Class of 76 