Phyllis Marian (Pearson) Shackelford (1917-2014)

SHACKELFORD, PEARSON, SCOTT

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 7/20/2014 at 11:57:34

From Bacon Funeral Home & Crematory obituary, Nevada and Maxwell, Story County, Iowa:

Phyllis Marian (Pearson) Shackelford passed away peacefully in her apartment at Quail Park Retirement Village in Visalia, California on June 11, 2014 at the age of 96. The only child of Ned Addison Pearson and Anna Laura (Scott) Pearson, Phyllis was born in her home near Maxwell, Iowa in Story County on December 28, 1917.

In her early childhood, the family moved to the Pearson Farm outside of Maxwell, where she was raised. She graduated from Maxwell High School in 1935 and from Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa in 1939 with a degree in mathematics. While a student at Simpson, she met her future husband, Richard Walter Shackelford ("Shack"). They were married on December 22, 1940 and remained so until his death in November, 2004. Phyllis began her teaching career after her graduation from Simpson College at the high school at Carson, Iowa. She taught for two years until Shack enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II. She began teaching again in 1956 and in 1977, she retired from teaching mathematics at Terra Nova High School in Pacifica, California. During her time at Terra Nova, she earned her Master's Degree in Mathematics Education from the University of San Francisco in 1968. In addition to teaching, her passions were family, bridge, and baseball. Her family always came first and she relished her sons' accomplishments and activities.

Phyllis and Shack were avid bridge players their entire married life, and after his passing in 2004, she continued playing until recently. She was a staunch Oakland A's fan and also enjoyed attending the home games of the Class A Visalia Rawhide baseball team with her friends in Visalia. In 2012, Phyllis was selected as the annual "Queen of Quail Park" which lead to her participation in the special Rawhide game event competition "Belle of the Ball Park." She was a member of the Maxwell Christian Church from birth, and most recently a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Visalia.

Phyllis requested only a graveside service at the Maxwell Cemetery where her parents and husband are buried. The service is scheduled for 11:00 am on Thursday, June 26, 2014.

Phyllis is survived by her three sons and their wives, Scott A. and A. Marilyn, R. Michael and Judith L., and Lee S. and Ronda F. She is also survived by seven grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, a donation in her memory may be made to Optimal Hospice Foundation (2439 West Whitendale Avenue, Suite B, Visalia, CA 93277), the Maxwell Christian Church (201 Main Street, Maxwell, IA 50161), or the Maxwell Museum (105 Main Street, Maxwell, IA 50161). If you wish to send a card and need an address, please send it to The Shackelford Family, 3753 West Ave. J15, Lancaster, CA 93536.

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