Gwen Tipps

Gwen Tipps, 93 of Canadian died peaceably in her sleep on Thursday, June 11, 2020 in Canadian.

Private family services were held Friday, June 12, 2020 at Edith Ford Memorial Cemetery, Canadian.  Arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Canadian.

Gwen, an only child was born on Wednesday, October 13, 1926 in St. Mary’s Hospital, now part of the Mayo Clinic, in Rochester, MN to Dr. & Mrs. J.E. Pettus.  They traveled the United States and located in Jackson, MS.  They were active Baptists.  Gwen performed on stage singing, tap dancing, ballet, recitations, and in water ballet.  She was a singer-pianist on Jackson WSLI Radio Station “The Fellowship Hour”.  Gwen graduated from Central High School and Millsaps College. She majored in math and minored in Spanish.  Gwen worked full time in the evenings as a teletypist at the Veterans Hospital while in college her Jr and Sr years.  After Robert Ross, Bob, Tipps returned from overseas, and they were married in Jackson on December 6, 1947.  He was stationed at Port Hueneme, California and Gwen transferred her civil service job to the Naval Air Missile Test Station at Point Mugu, California.  After Bob’s Navy discharge he remained 4 years in the Navy Reserve. For a few months they traveled throughout the USA.  Bob and Gwen returned to Canadian and opened the Bendix Automatic Laundry at 112 S. 2^nd and gradually started an electric business in November 1949. In April 1951 they moved Tipps Electric to 217 Main St.  Gwen transferred her Baptist membership from Jackson, MS to Canadian First Christian Church.  Bob’s maternal grandmother was one of the three women who organized the church.  Gwen was a Sunday School teacher and Christian Endeavor Leader.  She was a past Eastern Star Worthy Matron, a Canadian Girl Scout leader and worked with Girl Scouts many years.  Bob and Gwen retired from their Electric and TV business in 1980 but kept their interest in Translators and Cable Systems.

Gwen was preceded in death by her father in 1977, her mother in 1993 and her husband in 1995.

Survivors include a daughter, Lee Ann Grubbs; granddaughter, Jennifer Lee Adkins; great grandsons Anthony Utah Robert Adkins and Montana Kidd Adkins.