Mrs. Betty Thompson Shofner

August 19, 1928 - June 13, 2015

Betty Ruth Thompson Shofner of Shelbyville died at home surrounded by family and loved ones on Saturday, June 13, 2015, after an extended illness. She was 86. A beloved mother and grandmother, she is survived by her daughter, Ruth Ann Shofner, her son John Christopher (Chris) Shofner, Jr., his wife Ginger, and one granddaughter, Willa Katherine Shofner, all of Shelbyville. She was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, John Christopher (John) Shofner, Sr., who passed away in 2000, and her parents, Bell Thompson and Annie Ruth Jarrell Thompson. Born on August 19, 1928, Betty grew up as an adored only child at her parents' home on North Main Street across from the Thompson family's grocery store, where Walgreens stands today. Fortunately she had plenty of Thompson and Jarrell cousins to play with and she remained close to many of them throughout her lifetime. After graduating from Shelbyville Central High School in 1946, she attended Peabody College in Nashville where she earned her B.S. Degree in Education. While in college she started dating another Bedford County native, John Shofner, who was studying law at Vanderbilt University, though they had met in the third grade. They were married at Betty's childhood church, First United Methodist Church of Shelbyville, on December 21, 1952, the last wedding to take place in the old sanctuary before the current building on the Square was constructed. Betty taught third grade for seven years at Madison Street School and Eastside School. After leaving the classroom, Betty focused her energies on raising her children, supporting her husband's practice and contributing to both the life of the church and the community. She served First Presbyterian Church throughout her adult lifetime in extensive ways, as an elder, as Moderator of Presbyterian Women, and most fervently as Sunday School Superintendent for 19 years. She also served as President of the Shelbyville Woman's Club, was a member of the Shelbyville Garden Club, and played piano every week for 30 years for the Shelbyville Noon Rotary Club. Rotary charities and events played a significant role in the Shofners' family life as her husband John was the Club's 50th President, inheriting the tradition of "Service Above Self" from his father, Howard Bentley (H.B.) Shofner, Sr., who served as the Club's first president in 1922. All of the family's members are Rotary Paul Harris Fellows. Besides her family, her church and Rotary, Betty loved her friends. Early in their married life, she and John became a member of a dinner group with other young people, including Isaac and Betty Bull, Dr. John and Susan Derryberry, Dr. Henry and Mary Jo Feldhaus, J.O. and Ludie Gist, Dr. Grace Moulder, Morton and Lisa Renegar, Chancellor John and Nancy Templeton, and Thomas L. Tune, and their dedication to those friendships lasted a lifetime. Known as the "Potluck" group, Betty and John shared all the milestones of life with these families and created a treasury of good memories, not only for themselves to cherish, but also for Chris and Ann. Two other passions filled Betty's life, her roses and a mean game of bridge. Blooming in her garden behind her home are rose bushes inherited from both her mother and her grandmother, and she left instructions for their continued good care so they can be passed on to Willa Kate. Much like Rotary, Betty did not miss her bridge clubs' regular meetings. Funeral services will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Shelbyville on Wednesday, June 17th at 11:00 AM with the Rev. Lindsey Wade and the Rev. Dr. John Todd officiating. Visitation with the family will begin at 9:00AM at the church and burial will follow at Shofner's Lutheran Memorial Chapel Cemetery. Feldhaus Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements. The family requests that memorials be given to First Presbyterian Church, Hospice Compassus of Tullahoma, the Shelbyville Rotary Club, or the James L. Bomar, Jr. Rotary International Scholarship Foundation.