Elizabeth Bennette Shackelford (Lib) passed away on February 25, 2022, at NHC Mauldin in Greenville. She was 99 years old. For several years Lib battled Alzheimer’s Disease with unsinkable determination, an enduring sense of humor, a love of life, and, most of all, with the support of many gifted and loving caregivers.
The daughter of George Richard and Addie Gilbert Bennette, Lib was born in Enfield, NC in 1922 and grew up in Greensboro, NC. After graduating from the Woman’s College of North Carolina (now UNCG), she moved to the nation’s capital and worked in the Navy Department. Late one night, Lib woke her roommates to proclaim she had just met “the best dancer in Washington, D.C. – Cooper Shackelford.” She married him, on November 24, 1945.
Upon moving to Greenville in 1949, Lib began a lifelong commitment to church and community endeavors: She joined Fourth Presbyterian Church where she became a memorable 7th grade Sunday School teacher; she was a member of the Junior League, the Tuesday Study Club, the DAR, the Debutante Club, the Assembly, and the Quadrille. Lib’s tenure as President of the Augusta Circle Elementary School PTA was one of her proudest accomplishments.
Lib was a lifelong learner and devotee of the arts: She had an eclectic collection of art and antiques; she loved the theater, ballet and opera. A gracious and creative hostess, she loved gathering friends and family for dinner parties, cocktail parties, and fundraising events. Lib loved a good party.
Lib was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, John Cooper Shackelford; her brother, George Gilbert Bennette; and her daughter-in-law, Sharon Connell Shackelford. Surviving are two sons, John Shackelford of Alexandria, VA, and George Shackelford of Greenville, SC; a daughter, Kate (Kit) Shackelford (Charles Brown) of Narberth, PA; three grandchildren, Ansley Shackelford, Kelley Shackelford, and Grace Elizabeth Brown; and four great-grandchildren.
She will be remembered for her loving nature, her love of laughter, her love of life itself.
The family would like to recognize caregivers Shanika Kelly, Janneth Cabrera, Chernee Dickey, and Brenda Nichols for their years of devotion and commitment.
Please join us at the Memorial Service on Friday, July 29, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Greenville and help us celebrate Lib’s 100th birthday at the reception afterwards.
For those wishing to make memorial contributions, please consider The South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind in Spartanburg, SC, Fourth Presbyterian Church in Greenville, SC,www.fourthpres.com or the charity of your choice.
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