Gloria “Jeanne” Black Shipley Strange

1937 ~ 2014

Gloria “Jeanne” Black Shipley Strange, 76 passed away peacefully with her children by her side in Orem, Utah on October 23, 2014. She was always happy to let all know that she was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Jeanne was born Oct 25, 1937 to Marvin Black and Lillian Higgins Black in Pomona, California. She was an immense talent and performed for many years with her sister Janie Black on the weekly television show, Cliffie Stones Hometown Jamboree as well as at the old Showboat Hotel in Las Vegas with Billy and the Kids alongside Billy Strange and Speedy West. Due to Jeannes soothing vocal talents she was signed under contract with Capitol Records in Hollywood, where her album A Little Bit Lonely brought her acclaim as a Gold record seller due in part to her top hit songs, Hell Have to Stay and Lisa. Jeanne enjoyed touring and performing her hits around the country, internationally and multiple times on Dick Clarks American Bandstand.

After graduating from Chaffey High School in Ontario, California in 1955, Jeanne married fellow performer Arval Mark Shipley. Along with raising 6 children, Jeanne and Mark successfully opened, owned and operated The Gallery Theatre in Upland and Ontario, California. This became the community theatre safe haven for a multitude of talented performers over 23 years whom many still refer to Jeanne and Mark as their loving second parents. In 1990, the Shipley family moved to Northern Utah.

In January of 1999, Jeanne married William Billy Strange, and moved to Franklin, Tennessee. Jeanne continued to build close relationships with everyone she met alongside Billy, until his passing in February of 2012. At that time, she moved back to Utah to be cared for by her children.

Jeanne is survived by her first husband, Arval “Mark” Shipley, her 6 children; Eric (& Wendy) Shipley, Laurel (& Lance) Lopez, Angela Adamson, Jared Shipley, Josh (& Cami) Shipley, Tannie (& Andy) Hjorth, and by her 28 Grandchildren and 12 Great-Grandchildren.

Jeanne was preceded in death by her second husband Billy Strange, her parents Marvin and Lillian Black and her two sisters, Joy Ellingson and Janie Henderson.

A private service was held with close family members on Oct 24, 2014. A tribute to her life will be celebrated by family and friends in an upcoming month in California.