Betty Roberts Shanklin, 94, passed away Sunday, November 23, 2025 at Central Baptist Hospital in Lexington, KY.
Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 3, 2025 at Hughart, Beard & Giles Funeral Home with Rev. Dr. Kory Wilcoxson officiating. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery.
Visitation will be Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral hour. Hughart, Beard & Giles Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
A native of Mayfield, KY, Betty was born January 25, 1931, the daughter of the late J.A. “Bob” Roberts and Estelle Josephine Nussman Roberts.
She attended Mayfield High School, Bethel Women’s College, Austin Peay State College, and Murray State University. Betty dedicated her career to education as a second-grade teacher at Morningside Elementary for many years. Beyond the classroom, she gave generously of her time as a volunteer at Jennie Stuart Hospital and with the Community Concert Pops. She was also active in the Junior Auxiliary.
Betty’s life was rich with community involvement and personal interests. She was a proud member of the Pierian Literary Club, Phi Theta Kappa in college, and served as secretary of the Christian County Teachers Association.
She was honored as a Kentucky Colonel and participated in the SOS Club and the 42 Club of Mayfield High School. Known as a devoted “swim team mom,” Betty supported her children’s activities wholeheartedly. Her legacy is one of service, education, and love for family and community. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband: Charles Dennis Shanklin; and her sister: Judy Gentry.
Survivors include her children: Bob (Sice) Shanklin of Lexington, KY, Tip (Diane) Shanklin of Columbia, KY and Mary Anne (Jim) Mason of Annapolis, MD; and her granddaughters: Susan (Ryan) Battles and Caroline (Taylor) Sawyer all of Lexington, KY; and her great grandchildren: Graff Sawyer, Charles Sawyer, Hutch Sawyer and Adelaide Battles all of Lexington, KY.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Betty’s memory to The First United Methodist Church in Hopkinsville, Kentucky or Crestwood Christian Church in Lexington, Kentucky.
