Betty Shaffer

Published 12:00 am Monday, December 6, 2010

FERRIDAY — Services for Betty Peck Shaffer, 66, who died Friday, Dec. 3, 2010, at Our Lady of the Lake Medical Center in Baton Rouge, will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Sicily Island United Methodist Church with the Rev. Joe Senn officiating. Burial will follow at the Peck Family Cemetery under the direction of Comer Funeral Home in Ferriday.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Shaffer was born on May 2, 1944, in Natchez the daughter of W.S. Peck Jr. and Juanita Steele Peck.

Betty was very active in the community and business.  She successfully served as bank president of Sicily Island State Bank for many years, following in the footsteps of her father and grandfather Peck. She was one of the first female bank presidents in Louisiana. Among other awards, she was most proud of being named as “Master Farmer of the Year,” in recognition of her successful stewardship of her family farm, Ferry Plantation. She was the third generation of her family to be named a “Master Farmer of the Year.” Betty’s community involvement included serving as president of the Baton Rouge YWCO as well as being a member of the Natchez Garden Club, Daughters of the American Revolution, Daughters of the Confederacy, and many other organizations. Betty was also an active member of the Sicily Island United Methodist Church.

She will be remembered for her quick wit, hospitality and love of life.  Her passions were renovating her family home at Ferry Plantation, genealogy, and doting on granddaughter Julia.  She was an avid sportswoman who enjoyed deer hunting and camp life.

Shaffer was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, W.S. Peck III; and her second husband, Buddy Ware.

Survivors include her son, William Russel Shaffer and wife Michele; her daughter, Juanita “Missy” Shaffer; her granddaughter Julia Patience Shaffer; her first husband, Jack Shaffer, and a number of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

The family extends their deep appreciation to the medical team that cared for Betty in her final days, and special love and thanks to her faithful friend and caretaker, Cleo Dunbar.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Shaffer’s name to the Sicily Island United Methodist Church.