Elizabeth Jackson Shanklin's Obituary
Elizabeth Jackson Shanklin, 98, (of Ft. Myers, Florida), died February 17, 2016, at The Lodge, Cypress Cove.Known to friends and family as Betty, she was born August 9, 1917 in Hopkinsville Kentucky, the daughter of the late John Thomas, Jr. and Adelia Williamson Jackson. She married John DeRemer Shanklin on July 18, 1938 and they would have celebrated their 70th anniversary 2 months after his death in 2008.Survivng are three daughters, Susan Shanklin Threlkel, Brevard, NC, Mary Shanklin Pringos, Altheimer, AR, Sally Shanklin Rosser and her husband Paul, Atlanta, GA; three grandchildren, Shelby Threlkel, Atlanta, GA, Leigh Hays Threlkel, Mill Valley, CA, Carey Elizabeth Rosser and her husband Brook Prudden, Fallon, NV, two great grandchildren, Justin Hays Weisberg and Andrew Stewart Weisberg, Atlanta, GA; a sister, Jean Jackson Rhodes, Wilson, NC; a brother, John Thomas Jackson III, Tucson, AZ; a sister-in-law, Barbara Shanklin Cornwell, Spring Hill, FL, and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a son-in-law, Lawrence Theodore Pringos and three brothers-in-law, Shelby Shanklin, Jr., Dr. James Rhodes and Nat Spoon Cornwell.Betty grew up in Lexington, KY, attending Hamilton Preparatory until the seventh grade, then Lexington Junior High and Henry Clay High School. Upon graduation she moved to the University of Kentucky where she pledged Chi Omega and, in 1938, earned a BS degree in Commerce. Marriage soon followed and the honeymoon journey began immediately after the ceremony. The destination was Ft. Myers where both she and her husband would become valued members of the community.Mrs. Shanklin was, above all, a loving and devoted wife and mother. With three daughters to raise, she often felt her primary role in life was to deliver them by car forever. Regardless, she still found the time to be a dedicated and committed community volunteer. She served as the treasurer of the Ft. Myers Women’s Community Club, as President of the Rotary Anns, as a Pink Lady at the Lee Memorial Hospital where she was a charter member of the Hospital Auxiliary. She also helped to deliver Meals on Wheels. As a member of First Presbyterian Church she organized the Wedding Committee. She was the Vice President of the Edison Park Elementary School Parent Teacher Association, a member of the Colonial Dames of America and President of the Key Investment Club.Betty had a love for bridge and golf and enjoyed many games with friends. At Ft. Myers Country Club she was the Golf Chairman of the Ft. Myers Golf Association and in Highlands, NC was the President of the Wildcat Country Club Golf Association. The Shanklins were founding members of the Cypress Lake Country Club.They loved spending the summer months in the mountains of western North Carolina and enjoyed a part-time residence in Highlands for many years.In August of 2015, Betty was presented with a special certificate by the National Chi Omega Fraternity congratulating her on 80 years of loyalty and devotion to the sisterhood.Donors should choose how they express their sympathy. Flowers may be given to a church, a hospital or some other venue where they might benefit a larger number of people. Donation to the charity of your choice is always appropriate. Kind thoughts and prayers are most acceptable.Family and friends are invited to a celebration of life service at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, February 22nd, at First Presbyterian Church followed by a reception in Galloway Hall. Burial will be private.Ft. Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements and condolences may be sent through their web site at www.fortmyersmemorial.com.
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