Beatrice Minnie Shackelford

Beatrice, “Bee,” Agnew Shackelford of Abilene passed away on October 9, 2015 in her home, surrounded by her daughters. Bee and her twin sister, Betty, were born in Mannington, West Virginia to William and Phema Agnew on January 2, 1919. She graduated from Abilene High School in 1937, where she was a cheerleader and named “Friendliest Girl.” Bee never met a stranger and once you were her friend, you became a friend for life. After graduating from high school, Bee had a burning desire to attend Hardin Simmons University. Without the financial means to attend college, Bee walked to Hardin Simmons from the family home on South 7th and asked if there was any way that she could be enrolled in the college. To Bee’s delight, she was accepted and given a job in the Physical Education department. Thus, began her love affair with Hardin Simmons. While attending HSU, Bee was a Cowgirl, serving as president her senior year, and marched with the World Famous Cowboy Band in parades and athletic events. She was very proud to be one of the original riders of the famous Six White Horses. Following her graduation in 1941, Bee married the love of her life, Toby Shackelford, and taught at Abilene High School the following fall. While Toby was stationed in Lubbock during World War II, Bee taught briefly at Lubbock High School. After the war, Toby and Bee returned to Abilene and were blessed by two daughters. In 1961, Bee resumed her teaching career at Franklin Junior High School. In the fall of 1963, she moved to Cooper High School as a Physical Education teacher and cheerleader sponsor. Bee was the biggest Cougar fan of them all who loved her cheerleaders and was known as “the spirit of Cooper High School.” In 1974, the year of her retirement, Bee was honored by having the yearbook dedicated to her. She was inducted into the Cooper Hall of Fame in 1997. Bee was a member of the “Sewing Club,” a group of lifelong friends, who first met as Cowgirls at HSU. More like sisters, Bee, was the last remaining member. Bee retired to enjoy her grandsons and be the best “Ganny” any two boys could ever have. Bee loved God, family, country, her church and life! She was a faithful member of First Baptist Church for 78 years. In retirement, Bee took care of her husband, Toby, and her mother, and enjoyed playing golf and eating with the “lunch bunch.” Along with other Ex-Cowgirls, Bee delighted in performing the “Cowgirl Stomp” at the Traditions Assembly during Freshman Orientation each year, an event that always prompted a standing ovation. Bee was on the Board of Development and a member of the Ex-Cowgirls Association at HSU. In recognition of her many contributions to her alma mater, Hardin-Simmons honored Bee by awarding her the Keeter Alumni Service Award in 2007 and the Virtue Award given by the HSU Round Table in February of this year. Bee was preceded in death by the love of her life, her husband, Toby Shackelford; her mother, Phema, and father, William Agnew; sisters, Betty Mayer, Fritz Smith, and brothers, Billy and Johnny Agnew, and twin great granddaughters, Hope and Faith. Bee is survived by daughters, Jill Calder and husband Bill of Fort Worth and Kathy Shackelford, of Abilene, who lovingly cared for her mother the last eight years; grandsons, John, and wife Carole of Austin, Mike, and wife Lori, of Fort Worth; five precious great grandchildren who were the apple of her eye, Bryce, Ethan, Kate, Gracie Beth, and Toby; a sister, Sadie Canatsey and her husband Jerry of St. Louis, MO; much loved nieces and nephews, and a host of friends. The family would like to express our deep appreciation and love for the tender care of Dr. Carl Trusler, Hospice of the Big Country, and Visiting Angels have given our beloved mother. The family suggests that memorials be made to Hardin-Simmons University, First Baptist Church, Hospice of the Big Country, or a charity of your choice in Bee’s memory.