Maryevelyn Tipton

Maryevelyn Lucile Price Tipton was born in Seattle, Washington to Herbert Colborne and Margaret Dean Price (nee Purvis) on October 29, 1914, and was the eldest of three daughters. She died on August 5, 2015 at age 100 after a golden century of life. At age 12, the family moved to the golden state of California that she loved, and she attended a special school at UCLA for the gifted. In 1935, she left medical school to marry her dearest love, Howard Durward Tipton, who played football for USC during its Golden Years and for two Rose Bowls, and for the Chicago Cardinals from 1933 through 1937. Her two sisters remained her best friends throughout her life.

The couple tried their hand at mining in Mokelumne Hill, ranching on Friday Harbor and Chino, and entering into other various economic ventures while raising five children in between football seasons. At age 42, and pregnant with her fifth child, Mrs. Tipton took a few courses at Upland College, originally to just tend to her lifelong love of literature and history, but instead, earned her B.A. in English, and eventually, her teaching credential and Masters’ Degree in English at Claremont Graduate School.

Mrs. Tipton taught both English and History at Vina Danks Junior High School for 24 years, and was the consummate teacher. She, also, was the advisor to the school newspaper, the yearbook, and the creative writing club. She remembered every student’s name she had until her 90’s, and many professionals credit her for inspiring them to choose the life work they did, and for giving them the skills in order to pursue it.

Mrs. Tipton was a supporter of women’s rights and civil rights her entire life. She was acutely-sensitive to human suffering. Mrs. Tipton was an active member of the American Association of University Women, Kappa Kappa Iota, Delta Kappa Gamma, and Retired Teachers’ Association. She raised a public administrator, a peace corps volunteer and a superior court judge, a teacher, a clinical psychologist, and an academic advisor. She is survived by Howard Durward Tipton (Georgeanne), Leland Herbert Tipton (Mary Ann), Marilyn Suzanne McCullough (Robert), Margaret-Ann Mitchell (George), and Melinda Jo Tipton-Acosta (Max), thirteen grandchildren, and sixteen great grandchildren. The services are to be handled by Draper Mortuary.