Betty Shackelford

This is a story of Betty Jean (Benjamin) Shackelford a left-handed 68 year old matriarch born on March 8, 1951 in Forrest City, Arkansas. She lived a joyous life, and even though her earthly presence will be missed she transitioned to her eternal home on February 27, 2020.

She enjoyed her careers as a Certified Dietician, Nurse, Teacher and Clergy.

Betty had a love for Bowling, she even had her own personalized bowling ball and oh how she loved to be on the lake spending time sailing and fishing. She bragged endlessly about running track, breaking records and she dabbled in modeling too. Her sense of style turned heads everywhere she went.

After accepting Christ in her life she became a member of Full Gospel Holiness Temple, Dallas, TX. After years of evangelizing, she united with her forever church home God and Jesus Perfect Church where she labored faithfully and grew to become the Co-Pastor. Her spiritual journey included being a prophetess, evangelist, alter worker, cleaning committee, hospitality ministry, usher board president, communion supervisor, aided in baptism, teacher, held revivals, and also founder of the annual church conference.

When one thinks of Betty Shackelford, known to her grandchildren as “Gran Gran” the word that comes to mind is Queen with a servants heart. Wisdom came natural, being seen as the true definition of a woman as she was REGAL, confident, fun, witty, beautiful, family oriented, dignified and dependable. She was a DOER that consistently exceeded expectations and went out of her way to help ALL.

She leaves her beloved daughters to cherish her memories, Angela Jones (Boris Jones), Amie Cole (Otis Cole), Ambir Byrd (Gerald Lias), Camilla Edwards (Marcus Edwards), honorary daughter Undria Stone; and 11 grandchildren, Dai’Zhanai Little, La’Darrius Cole, Harold Little, La’Daja Cole, Marquis Edwards, Aurion Lias, Auria Lias, Aijha Lias, Marshall Edwards, Madisyn Edwards, La’Draya Cole; 1 great grandchild, Ziyah Cole and a host of nieces, nephews and many other relatives and friends.

The love ones that cleared the path for her were her parents William Benjamin Sr., Jewel Lee (Cheers) Benjamin, and her siblings, Leon Benjamin, Henrietta Benjamin, Frank Garner, Laticia Benjamin, Mary D. Wright, Preston Benjamin, Neomia Kennon. She is succeeded by her 1st husband Calvin Byrd, 2nd husband Augustus Shackelford and siblings;  William Benjamin Jr, Richard Benjamin, ArTerry Benjamin, Henry Garner, Will Garner, Ida Mae Coleman, Christean Bass, Erma Jean Lewis, Shelley Lauretta, Patricia A Garner, and honorary sister Benita Turner.