Martha Elizabeth Evelyn “Sophie” Leonard Tipton Haislip was born May 9, 1935 to Carl and Maudie Davis Leonard. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Carl Tipton and Alton Haislip, parents, Carl and Maudie Davis Leonard, sister, Willow Dean Leonard, brothers, Eugene Leonard and Floyd Leonard and son, Allen Haislip.
She is survived by sons, Joe (Debbie) Tipton and Bill (Vanessa) Tipton, Daniel (Natalie) Haislip, daughters, Betty (Ken) Chambers, Linda (Dewey) Dodson and Lisa Haislip (Bret) Randall and sister, Louise Tomberlain; grandchildren: Brian Tipton, Brent Tipton, Jonathan (Suzi) Ellis, Phillip (Rebecca) Ellis, Jesse (Jodi) Chambers, Sarah Chambers, Jordan Dodson, Grace (Tyler) Paul, Austin (Shelby) Tipton, Jacob Tipton, Jason (Melissa) Haislip, Josh (Mallonee) Haislip, Jamie (Bobby) Dixon, Charisse (James) Christensen, Ella Randall, and Hannah Randall; great-grandchildren: Tyler, Taylor, Olivia, Caleb, Evelyn, Britton, Cooper, Oliver, Anna, Jacy, Jaxson, Olivia, RosaLee, Justin, Elizabeth, Andrew, Katrina, Troy, and John; many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.
Evelyn was born in the Walter Hill Community. She enjoyed amusing folks with her many names which usually brought questions and allowed her to tell her stories of the past, something she held very dear. She attended Walter Hill School, got married at the age of 14, raised four children all while maintaining a Christian home and music career that spanned 40 years. She loved and nurtured grandchildren and great-grandchildren, befriended countless folks from all walks of life, and influenced numerous souls for Christ. She was a member of the church of Christ at Walter Hill where she attended from the age of five years until her health kept her indoors.
Sophie found a new purpose in life when she and Alton “Pops” renewed their acquaintance and later married. She loved Pops and all his children and grandchildren just like they were her own. They had 10 wonderful years of laughter, traveling, camping, yard sales, and hosting music and fish fries at the lake house. While living on the lake in Mt. Juliet they worshiped at the church of Christ at Green Hill and made many life long friends.
In 2014, she left her home of 60+ years and moved to Stones River Manor Assisted Living. While this was one of the hardest decisions she had to make, she came to love the people and her life at the Manor. She often said, “I have learned to be content whatever my circumstances,” paraphrasing the apostle Paul’s words in Philippians 4:12.
She obeyed the greatest command by loving everyone. She said many times, “I love everyone, even the ones who don’t love me.” Some of her last words were to allow anyone to visit who wanted to come. She said, “Line them up, I want to tell them I love them.
She was a singer and a writer, composing many songs and filling journals with her thoughts of God, heaven, family and music. One of her recent favorite songs was “The Sun’s Coming Up in the Morning” by Dee Gaskins.
The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to Mike, Becca and Tyler Cutter of HoneyHill Home Care for selecting the wonderful caregivers they sent to care for Mama during the last five months. Star Smith, Mia Smith-Woods, Tony Reese, Tracy Fapetu, Shirley Johnson, and others will always hold a special place in our hearts. A special thank you also to the wonderful nurses at Stones River Manor, St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital, Adams Place Rehab, NHC Murfreesboro as well as Alive Hospice. You have all blessed our family.
Visitation with the family will be 4:00-8:00 PM, Sunday, December 9, 2018 at Jennings and Ayers Funeral Home.
Chapel service will be 11:00 AM, Monday, December 10, 2018 at Jennings and Ayers Funeral Home with Jim Creech and Paul Norwood officiating. Burial will follow in Roselawn Memorial Gardens with grandsons serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Jason Haislip, Josh Haislip, Jackson Harris, and Clay Lewis.
Arrangements are under the direction of Jennings and Ayers Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 820 South Church St., Murfreesboro, TN 37130. 615-893-2422. Please leave online condolences at www.jenningsandayers.com.
