Cora Frances Shipley, of Clovis, California, was reunited with her husband Bill in the presence of the Lord on September 27, 2026, just 12 days after her 83rd birthday. She passed peacefully with her daughter at her side.

Cora is survived by her daughter Marci of Clovis, her son Bill Jr. and his wife Megan of South Lake Tahoe, and her beloved five grandchildren -- Liam, Skyelach, Keegan, Brownyn and Megan.

She also has five siblings who survive her – sisters Billie Jean, Lanelle, and Sheila, and younger brother Michael. Passing before her were sisters Mary, Mebble, and Helen, and older brother Bill. She enjoyed spending time and traveling with them, including regular trips to visit extended family in Louisiana.

She traveled extensively with Marci, while also spending many weekends in South Lake Tahoe with her grandchildren to attend various events they were involved in such as cheerleading, softball, football, basketball, gymnastics, and theater. Her oldest grandson Liam lived with her while he attended Fresno Pacific University, giving her and Marci the chance together to watch him play college soccer many times.

Cora was born on September 15, 1943, in Hollyridge, Louisiana. Her family moved to California just after World War II ended, eventually settling in Fresno, where she attended McLane High School. She met the only love of her life – “Wyld Bill” – when both were teenagers, and they remained married for 56 years until his passing in 2017.

Bill and Cora came to Clovis in 1972, living in a house built by Bill out Bullard Avenue close to Highland. After raising her children Cora embarked on the second chapter of her life – becoming a business owner in Old Town Clovis with the 1990 purchase of the building on the northeast the corner of Pollasky Ave. and Fifth Street. Over the next 36 years, first along with Bill and later on her own, Cora operated several different businesses, from gift stores to antique malls, and a 50’s Diner-style ice cream shop to a sit-down restaurant, at eight different locations in Old Town. She joined the “Business Owners of Old Town Association,” eventually serving as its President for more than 25 years, and was part of the Board that created and built the iconic Old Town Friday Night Farmers’ Market into what it is today. Numerous annual events in Old Town Clovis that bring tens of thousands of visitors every year have her stamp indelibly upon them.

But for the last decade it was from “Scoops, Soups and More” that Cora made her presence felt. Purchased in 2002, “Scoops” was a place for their grandchildren – what was better than having a “Nana and Papa” who owned an ice cream store? Up until her final days Cora could still be found at Scoops when it opened in the morning and when it closed at night.

She built a legacy that few have – or ever will – match in that unique enclave of downtown Clovis.

Cora was the recipient of numerous awards over the years for her leadership and contributions to the community of Old Town Clovis, including induction into the Clovis Hall of Fame in June 2017. She was also named “Businesswoman of the Year” from the Chamber of Commerce, “Professional Business of the Year,” from the Chamber of Commerce, and Volunteer Leader of the Year. The City of Clovis and County of Fresno have issued separate proclamations recognizing her decades of service to the community, in addition to innumerable other acknowledgements of her contributions by a host of organizations.

A public Memorial Service in honor of Cora’s life and legacy will be held on October 26, 2026, at 11:30 a.m., in the Veterans

She was a one-woman force of nature – but always with love in her heart and a smile on her face.