of Quitman, AR
Wayne & Suzy Shackleford 1941 ~ 2023
William Wayne Shackleford July 27, 1941 - August 16, 2023
Suzy Elizabeth Dempster Shackleford September 15, 1941 - December 25, 2023
Wayne and Suzy met as college freshmen in the library at Little Rock University, now the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. While attending LRU, they enjoyed Greek Life, with Suzy a charter member Epsilon Theta Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority and Wayne a charter member Eta Xi Chapter of Sigma Nu Fraternity. June 9, 2024, would have been their 60th wedding anniversary. Both died peacefully at their daughter, Emily's home in Goshen, Kentucky. Both aged 82 years, Wayne on August 16, 2023 and Suzy on December 25, 2023.
Suzy Elizabeth (Dempster) Shackleford was born on September 15, 1941 to George Willis (Jr.) and Dorothy Elizabeth (Shaw) Dempster in Little Rock, Arkansas. She graduated from North Little Rock High School in 1959 and Little Rock University in 1964 with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education. She began her extensive public school teaching career with the Little Rock School District and would go on to have her longest tenure with the Quitman School District.
William Wayne Shackleford was born on July 27, 1941 to Henry Wilson and Joan (Swicegood) Shackleford in Little Rock, Arkansas. He was a senior in 1959 at Little Rock Central High School during the 'lost year' which required him to graduate from Joe T. Robinson High School. He would go on to graduate from Little Rock University in 1963 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Following many years with Safeway and Piggly Wiggly, he took over the family dairy farm in 1983.
Survived by their two daughters and one grandchild: Emily Elizabeth (Shackleford) Hayes of Goshen, Kentucky and her son, William Lancaster Hayes; Sally Shaw Shackleford (Matthew Sautter) of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania; Suzy's younger brothers, Dr. Robert Shaw (Hildy) Dempster of North Little Rock, Arkansas and Thomas Alan Dempster (Patrick O'Connor) of San Francisco, California; along with many other relatives and long-time friends. Wayne and Suzy were preceded in death by their parents and Suzy's younger brothers, John Michael Dempster and George Willis Dempster, III.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Wayne and Suzy's honor may be directed to Arkansas Children's Hospital and Heifer International.
Visitation will be 1:00-2:00pm Saturday, June 29, 2024 at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home in Greenbrier, Arkansas. A committal service will follow at Fairbanks Community Cemetery in Fairbanks, Arkansas.
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18 Condolence(s)
Blaine Fowler
Thursday, July 4, 2024
Mrs. Shack was my most memorable and favorite teacher growing up. She made a lasting impression on my life and I will never forget her. She is walking with Jesus now and dancing with angels. I will always love and cherish her memory.
Maria Swicegood
Friday, June 28, 2024
Suzy and Billy Wayne were a precious couple. You never saw them apart.
Prayers for the family!
Maria Swicegood
Ronnie Spears
Friday, June 28, 2024
Wayne and Suzy hold such a special place in my life and heart. They were genuinely like family to me. I'll always have great memories of them. Wayne was far more than just my boss during high school and college, he was my mentor and trusted friend. In any leadership role I had in my life, I tried to follow his example of getting to know others as people and showing respect for them as Wayne did to me. We shared so much fun together outside of our work life. I always loved Suzy's wry sense of humor and her efforts to provide me with lessons on culture and etiquette. A gift or card from Suzy was clearly something into which she put thought and love. Wayne often said for me to take whatever he said with a grain of salt. He hoped every now and then what he said would be of value to me. I kept a lot of grains of salt over the years. Love to Emily and Sally.
Travis Love
Friday, June 28, 2024
Both of them were some of the best neighbors and friends in the community. They were both willing to help with anything especially when it was dealing with kids. They were an inspiration to Meri and I being an example for us in the way they loved their children. They often asked us how things were going at school and how our girls were doing.
I remember when i told Wayne about our first grandson. He just smiled and told me, “You and Meri are going to be great grandparents.” They were so personable and compassionate towards others.
On a farming note, he and I would always discuss our haying issues and he would always say, “Let it grow, we specialized in long hay.” We would both smile and agree with the statement.
They will be missed.
Kevin & Pat Purifoy
Monday, June 24, 2024
Billy Wayne & Suzy were always smiling & laughing no matter want life brought their way! They always found time for family & friends. We loved the many times they would find some show @ UCA, eating place or activity to attend. You were guaranteed to enjoy yourself!
Billy Wayne was Kevin's cousin & when I first met Billy Wayne's parents I fell in love with them all! We tried to always stop by to visit Uncle Henry, Aunt Jo Ann, Billy Wayne & Suzy.
Many funny times with them. Aunt Babe (Aunt Jo's sister), Kevin & I went to visit Uncle Henry & Aunt Jo one time to pick blackberries. I looked over at the bob wire fence while we was walking down the road-----oh my the fence had so many ticks on the fence it looked like an expressway @ 5pm in the afternoon! I had never seen so many ticks in my life. I turned around & headed back to the house. Billy Wayne met me in the road & offered to sprayed with down or dust me with powder. We laughed all the way back to Little Rock. May God bless Emily & Sally during their time of grief. Billy Wayne & Suzy will be together forever.
With love & admiration, Jean, Kevin & Pat Purifoy
Maria Swicegood
Saturday, June 22, 2024
Suzy and Billy Wayne were a precious couple. You never saw them apart.
Prayers for the family!
Maria Swicegood
Laresa McNew Reed
Saturday, April 13, 2024
Sally and Emily, I am so sorry for your loss.
Theresa Jordan
Saturday, April 13, 2024
Sallly & Emily, I am so very sorry to hear about your mom & dad. I talked to your mom at the post office a while back & of course she was in a hurry just like she’s always been. I thought retirement didn’t slow her down on bit. I always loved getting to see your mom & dad. Both were interesting & uplifting people that left me with a smile. We miss you girls & mention y’all often when we recall memories with our boys & some of the others while at QHS. I will keep you & your families in our prayers.
Elaine Ward Jordan
Saturday, April 13, 2024
I have such sweet memories of Susie and Wayne. I first got to know her as a fellow parent at Quitman since Emily was in the sane grade as Cecilia. My son, Jimmy John, had her as his second grade teacher. I became a teacher and got to work with Susie at Quitman for a couple of decades. She was an unique person who loved to write formal and informal notes, thank you cards and invitations to a luncheon or tea. Her classroom smelled of oranges and cloves during Christmas time. She encouraged students in the community to join the 4H club and become well rounded individuals. She was creative down to a real claw foot bathtub placed in her classroom with pillows for a reading nook. She and Wayne were a great team. They followed through with their wedding vows “in sickness and in health” to the very end of their lives. I am glad to have known them and their sweet daughters. Emily and Sally my thoughts and prayers are with you. Thank you for the opportunity to remember them on June 29th. Love sent your way.
Melanie Walker Nichols
Saturday, April 13, 2024
Suzy was a joy during my childhood, both as a neighbor and as a friend.
Linda Duncan
Friday, April 12, 2024
This was such a special couple. Always with a smile. So many memories of Suzy as a Quitman Elementary Teacher. Doesn't everybody read in a bathtub! Love
LaTonya Pate
Friday, April 12, 2024
Emily & Sally, I'm so sorry for your loss. Have very fond memories of you mom. LaTonya Pate
Anna Templeton
Monday, April 1, 2024
Maria Swicegood
Monday, April 1, 2024
Suzy and Billy Wayne were a precious couple. You never saw them apart.
Prayers for the family!
Maria Swicegood
Dick Douglass
Monday, April 1, 2024
Our prayers are with the families.
Kira Potter
Sunday, March 31, 2024
Sending our sincere condolences to your family. They lived a great long life and have beautiful children! Love you Sally!
Vickie Hebling
Sunday, March 31, 2024
What a beautiful story. We loved them so much.
Betty Hayes
Sunday, March 31, 2024
I got to meet Suzy & Wayne when their daughter Emily married my son Todd. Great people! Thinking of Emily, Sally & the rest of the family.