Stipe in 2004, photo by Prphotos
Birth Name: John Michael Stipe
Place of Birth: Decatur, Georgia, U.S.
Date of Birth: January 4, 1960
Ethnicity: English, along with Scots-Irish/Northern Irish, Scottish, and German
Michael Stipe is an American singer, songwriter, film producer, and visual artist. He is the lead singer of alternative rock band R.E.M. Other members of the band are Bill Berry, Peter Buck, and Mike Mills.
Michael is the brother of singer and bass guitarist Lynda Stipe.
Michael’s patrilineal line can be traced to Henry Stipe, who was born, c. 1741, in Germany.
Michael’s paternal grandfather was The Rev. John Warren Mobley Stipe (the son of Edward Everett Stipe and Mary Elizabeth Irwin “Lizzie” Mobley). The Rev. John was born in Georgia, and was a Methodist minister. Edward was the son of John Wesley Stipe and Emily Smith. Mary Elizabeth was the daughter of Warren Lovejoy Mobley and Elizabeth Mary Whitaker. Elizabeth was the granddaughter of Jared Irwin, a Democratic-Republican politician, who was Governor of Georgia, from January 15, 1796 to January 12, 1798, and again, from September 23, 1806 to November 10, 1809.
Michael’s paternal grandmother was Laura E. Phipps/Stead (the daughter of Robert N. Phipps and Minerva Marilda “Nervie” Banks). Laura was born in North Carolina. She was adopted by Aquila M. Stead and Cordelia Brooks, and renamed Laura E. Stead. James was the son of James Milton Phipps and Sariah L. Kilby. Michael’s great-grandmother Minerva was the daughter of James Mansfield Banks and Mary Elizabeth Wallen.
Michael’s maternal grandfather was John Clifford Hatch (the son of Melvin C. Hatch and Julia Rush).
Michael’s maternal grandmother was Eleanor/Ella Ruth Lathram (the daughter of Milton Perry Lathram and Vera Inez Parmer). Eleanor was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Milton was the son of The Rev. John Jackson Lathram and Frances Jane Shepard. Vera was the daughter of William Marion Parmer and Ella Amanda Gilchrist, whose father was of Scottish descent.
Sources: Genealogy of Michael’s father – https://www.findagrave.com
Family history of Michael’s paternal grandmother, Laura S. Phipps – http://www.genealogy.com
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