Omiss Livanna B. Lipscomb

Blessed is he whose hope is in the Lord the maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 146:5-6 On June 2, 1922, Omiss Livanna Lipscomb, was born to the late Edna and Berry Bradby in Charles City, Virginia. A sister, wife, mother, grandmother, friend and great-grandmother, Omiss left her body to be present with the Lord on December 12, 2013 at the age of 91. Livanna was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Lipscomb Sr.; sister, Edna Hartman; brother, Vernon Bradby and grandson, Kenneth A. Merritt, Jr. Omiss graduated from Ruthville High School in Charles City, Virginia in 1940. On May 20, 1944, Omiss married the love of her life, Raymond Lipscomb Sr. That joyous and devoted union lasted 43 years and produced eight children. A while later they established a home in the Washington Park Community of Richmond. On Lincoln Avenue Omiss became a stern but loving mother who ingrained in her children her personal philosophy of “never let anyone steal their joy.” Although raising eight children was an all consuming task, the Lipscomb home was the neighborhood Kool-Aid house, where neighborhood kids gathered, ate, played and established life-long relationships. With all this going on, Mrs. Lipscomb still indulged her hobbies of dancing and donning her handmade traditional Chickahominy dress for the tribal Pow Wows. While growing up in Charles City, Omiss was a member of Cedar Grove Baptist Church. But, while in Washington Park she was under the watchcare of St. John Baptist Church where she sang in the choir and was involved with the Flower Ministry. Omiss was a master at arts and craft, specializing in drawing. Also, she loved gardening and preparing for the holidays, especially Christmas. She would customarily dress her tree 12 days prior to Christmas. Christmas and seasonal decorating was her way of thanking God for her blessings of family, home, and community. Omiss Livanna Lipscomb leaves to cherish her loving memory, four daughters, Esther L. Brooks (Michael Sr.), Livanna C. Merritt (Kenneth Sr.), Ethel L. Thornton and Gaynelle M. Lipscomb; four sons, Raymond Jr. (Shirley), Vernon W., Maynard B. Sr. (Gail) and David B. Lipscomb. Her grandchildren are SFC Fransanda Parker (Ron), Maynard Lipscomb Jr. (Keisha), Tacella Thornton, Kennard Merritt Sr. (Charlette), James R. Lipscomb, Kendrick Merritt, Kennethia Merritt, Kendall Merritt, Daniel Stuart and Shelby Bradby (Rick). There is a host of great-grandchildren. In addition, Omiss is survived by two sisters, Grace B. Hemmings and Susan Bradby and two devoted friends, Florine Gaines and James Hill along with numerous relatives and friends. Omiss is our true spirit and joy! We already miss her.

Tributes

Omiss Livanna B. Lipscomb

June 2, 1922 - December 12, 2013