Betty Jean Shannon (née Sayler)
November 27, 1932 - August 31, 2026
OBITUARY
Betty Jean was born in Underwood, North Dakota. The family moved to Walnut Grove in 1939 and to Lodi in 1942. She attended Lincoln and Needham schools, graduated from Lodi High School in 1950, and graduated from Delta College in 1976. In 2025, she moved to Anthem, Arizona to be with family.
In 1945, Betty Jean accepted the Lord into her heart. She had a deep and abiding faith in Jesus, her Lord and Savior. She was a member of Temple Baptist Church (Grace Point) for 55 years and served the church as a teacher, youth leader and deaconess.
She loved music and sang in church choirs, community choirs, ensembles, and the Stockton Chorale. She was the proud co-writer of the Tokay High School Alma Mater and wrote the theme song for the Mr. Lodi contest.
Betty was employed by LUSD Child Welfare and Attendance for 35 years. After retirement, she volunteered in Lakewood kindergarten classes and made weekly visits to residents of convalescent hospitals.
Betty Jean devoted her life to a deep love of the Lord and was a true beacon of His word. She had a knack for remembering everyones birthdays, knowing just when to call to check in, and projecting Gods light to all who crossed her path. She had a significant greeting card ministry and sent words of encouragement and support to many. She was a people person and took great joy in sewing, cooking, gardening, homemaking, canning, reading historical novels, and studying her bible. During the Christmas season, she would make over 30 lbs of English toffee to gift to her family and friends. She loved traveling to Europe, around the United States, and she took several cruises to Alaska and Mexico.
On August 31, Betty Jean went to be with the Lord surrounded by her loved ones. She will be greatly missed, but her ministries will live on through those whose lives she touched.
Just ahead of her passing, Betty selected some of her favorite verses that her family would like to share in celebration of her life:
1 Timothy 1:12
And I thank Christ Jesus, our Lord, who hath enabled me, in that He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry.
Psalms 27:4
One thing I have desired of the Lord, that I will seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple.
Throughout her life, Betty supported Gospel for Asia, In Touch Ministries, Lodi Boys & Girls Club, Samaritans Purse, and Tunnels to Towers.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Lodi Boys & Girls Club, Hospice of the Valley (Arizona), or the charity of your choice.
A private memorial service will be held at a later date.
Betty is predeceased by her parents George and Rose (Landenberger) Sayler, her husband of 54 years, Stan Shannon, Norman Gesler, her spouse of 16 years, baby son, Stanley Shannon, Jr., siblings Verna Brown, Bernice Thacker, Emerald Sayler, Ray Sayler, Bernard Sayler, and Adrian Sayler. She is survived by four children: Renee Henry (Steven), Andrea Arterburn (Jon), Lisa Waters (Leonard), Mitch Shannon (Kelly), 9 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild.
Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Shannon family.
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