Betty Lou Sims Mahoney Shocklee

Graveside services for Betty Lou Sims Mahoney Shocklee of Lufkin, formerly of Nacogdoches, will be held Saturday, January 6, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. at Fairview Church Cemetery in Nacogdoches with Pastor Mark Wilke officiating.

Betty was born February 18, 1934 in Lufkin, Texas, and passed away Wednesday, January 3, 2024 in Lufkin at the age of 89. She had suffered from dementia for many years and her last residence was at PineCrest Retirement Community in Lufkin.

Betty was raised in the Nacogdoches area and graduated from Nacogdoches High School (1952) and Stephen F. Austin State College (1957), preparing her for a lifetime in Christian ministry and evangelism and as a teacher in public and in parochial schools in cities such as St. Charles, Illinois, St. Louis, Missouri, Fairborn, Ohio, Edmond and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, and Lake Jackson, Lufkin, Nacogdoches, Alvin, and Friendswood, Texas.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Richard McJackson “Dick” Sims and Mary Caroline (Hickman) Sims; first husband, James Eugene “Jimmy” Mahoney; second husband, Leslie “Les” Shocklee; daughter, Kelly Mahoney; sister, Dorothy Jean Sims Walton; and brother, Van Arlen “Sonny” Sims.

Betty is survived by her daughters, Kaywin Mahoney Carter of Lufkin and Kimberly Mahoney Balkum and husband David of Salado; grandchildren, Dana Caroline Carter Hughes and husband Sam of Lufkin, Cody MacJackson Carter of Dallas, Laurianne Jenè Balkum of Salado, and Lesleigh Darby Balkum Jones and husband Joshua of Dennison; and three great-grandchildren, Piper Kaywin Hughes, Graham Armstrong Hughes, and Emmalyn Darby Balkum.

During her life, Betty enjoyed ministering at various churches to which she belonged, singing, teaching, gardening, ceramics, and her family. She also was a master puppeteer and enjoyed presenting educational and humorous programs to children at churches and schools with her favorite puppet, Dinky.

The family would like to thank her caregivers at PineCrest Retirement Community over the years and Affinity Hospice during her last days.

Memorial contributions may be made to PineCrest Retirement Community, 1302 Tom Temple Drive, Lufkin, Texas 75904.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.