Betty Jo Shiflett Randolph, at 96, passed away on September 12, 2022. She was born in Fairfield, Alabama on May 24, 1926, to Thomas Joseph and Monnie Jones Shiflett. She attended Ensley High School and the University of Alabama. She resided in Tuscaloosa for approximately 10 years and was employed for the Social Security Administration. She moved to Mississippi in 1957 to assist in the opening of the SSA office in Tupelo. She also worked as a teacher’s aide and with 4 year old’s at the Baptist Church in Pontotoc.
Betty Jo moved to Clinton in 1984 when her son began law school in Jackson. She worked for the Veteran’s Administration until her retirement in 1991. Her retirement years were happy ones. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Clinton, a longtime member of the Friendship class, and especially enjoyed working with the nursing home ministry.
Always health conscious, she utilized the Baptist Health Plex in Clinton extensively. In her later years, she enjoyed the fact that she was the only 90 year old in many of the exercise classes she attended.
First and foremost, Betty Jo was an avid Alabama football fan. Roll Tide. She was also a voracious reader, who read the newspaper each day, cover to cover, and she was especially interested in the history of our country, as well as family genealogy. These interests led her to active participation in the Daughters of the American Revolution – Walter Leake Chapter, Colonial Dames XVIIC – Rev. Samuel Swayze Chapter, and Mississippi Division National Society Magna Charta Dames and Barons.
She was devoted to her large family in Alabama that began with her brother Thurston and his wife Vondell, her many cousins, nieces, nephews and their children, as well as her sisters-in-laws, their husbands and children in Northeast Mississippi. Always one to smile and never one to criticize or say a cross word, and she was loved by many. She loved all and credited the loving environment she created to her longevity.
She was predeceased by her parents, Thomas Joseph and Monnie Jones Shiflett, and brother Thurston Shiflett. She is survived by her only child J. Peyton Randolph, II, sister-in-law Vondell Shiflett and nephews Larry Joe (Joyce), David Thurston (Carolyn), and Mark (Cindy) and a host of nieces and nephews and their respective families.
In her final years, Betty Jo, Nana, was cared for by two granddaughters Maygan Elizabeth Martin (Loren) and Mayci Anne Speights (Eric) and their parents Gary and Kim McCloud, along with Maygan’s two children, Colby and Klaire Adelyn. She was especially loved by and the family owes deep gratitude to Amanda Joye Farmer, who has cared for Betty Jo for almost 30 years. During her brief illness, three extremely kind and compassionate caregivers, Victoria Renea Ragsdale, Patricia Thomas, and Shirley Allen, saw to her every need. A huge thank you and expression of gratitude goes out to these ladies, as well Shannon Horne Woodson.
Visitation in Mississippi will be from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Sunday, September 18, 2022, at Sebrell Funeral Home, 425 Northpark Drive, Ridgeland, MS 39157. Visitation in Alabama will be on Monday, September 19th, at 1:00 pm with Services at 2:00 pm at Bell Funeral Home – Forestdale, 2077 Pratt Highway, Birmingham, AL 35214, followed by burial at Midway Cemetery in Adamsville, AL.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Community Animal Rescue and Adoption (CARA), the Mississippi Rescue League (MARL) or Animal Rescue Fund of Mississippi (ARF).
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