Betty Faye Cook Shirley, age 77, of Manhattan, passed away September 13, 2023, at Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan.
Betty was born July 21, 1946, the daughter of Curtis and Carmen (Countryman) Cook in Garden City, Kansas. She grew up on the family farm surrounded by her close-knit extended family. She attended Garden City area schools and graduated from Garden City High School with the class of 1964.
On March 29, 1970 Betty was united in marriage to Clinton C. ‘Bud’ Shirley, Jr. He survives at their home in Manhattan.
Over the years Betty worked as a civilian on Fort Riley Military Base, was a childcare provider, and a paraprofessional in Manhattan, KS USD 383 as well as Eldorado, KS USD 490. In later years she worked for Kansas Social and Rehabilitative Services, specifically in Vocational Rehabilitation. In 1994 she was awarded Secretary of the Year by the Kansas Association of Rehabilitation Secretaries.
Betty was a loving and supportive partner to the love of her life, Bud. They were devoted to each other and an example of a marriage that was made and maintained with love, friendship, and mutual respect. They were a team and faced life’s rollercoaster together 100%.
Betty was a selfless and caring mom and grandma. She was the greatest cheerleader to her own children and grandchildren, as well as her siblings, cousins, nieces and nephews, friends of her kids and kids of her friends, daycare children, and anyone else who needed her. She was a resourceful maker of things including hand-sewed dresses, pjs, costumes, and toys, home-made playdough, favorite meals and goodies. She indulged her kid’s creativity, allowing extensive living room forts, and block cities. She had a flare for art, especially drawing and painting. She was an avid reader and lover of books. A talented musician, she was known to accompany toddler marching bands with ragtime piano songs as well as playing the classics. She loved music of all kinds but had a special affinity for Willie Nelson and The Oak Ridge Boys.
Betty was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
In addition to her husband, Bud, she is survived by her children, Bill Shirley, Jenny Aggson (Travis), Brian Shirley (Stephanie), Emily Taylor (Clay); grandchildren, Katelyn Shirley, Connor, Maverick, and Cameryn Aggson, Liz and Cain Taylor, Drew and Taylor Shirley, and her Thai grandson Wasu ‘Jearler’ Mukdaprasert. She is also survived by her special friend, Diane Matteson.
Betty was so loved by her family and friends and will be deeply missed.
The family will greet friends during a visitation from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday September 21, 2023 at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home in Manhattan.
Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday September 22, 2023 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 2812 Marlatt Avenue in Manhattan. Interment will follow at Sunrise Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, and in support of Betty’s love of books, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Manhattan Public Library. Contributions may be sent in care of Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.