Shannon M. Shackelford

Funeral services for Shannon M. Shackelford will be held at 3:00 p.m. Thursday August 5 2004 at Englewood Baptist Church with interment to follow in Highland Memorial Gardens. Arrington Funeral Directors is in charge of arrangements. Our beloved daughter and friend in Christ Shannon M. Shackelford died on August 1 2004 at the age of 30. Shannon was born on January 2 1974 in Tacoma Washington at Madigan Army Medical Hospital. Shannon accompanied her parents while they lived in Ft. Lewis Washington; Memphis Tennessee; Ft. Campbell Kentucky; Charlottesville Virginia; Manhattan Kansas; San Antonio Texas; with all returning to Jackson Tennessee in November 1989. Shannon attended and graduated from North Side High School in 1992 with honors. At North Side she participated in numerous extra-curricular activities to include playing on the girls basketball team for two years. After high school she attended Lambuth University from 1992 to 1996 on a Leadership Scholarship. At Lambuth she was a member of Alpha Omicron Pi. In 1996 Shannon transferred to The University of Tennessee at Memphis Health Science Center. She graduated in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Dental Hygiene. While in college Shannon was active in numerous volunteer programs at the Church Health Center; the Bethany Home for Pregnant Teenagers; Millington Naval Air Station; Memphis City Schools; and the Student American Dental Hygienists Association. Since 1999 Shannon worked for Dr. G. Robert Hopper Jr. at his clinic as a dental hygienist. While there Shannon developed a loyal following of patients and co-workers and was recognized on numerous occasions for her hard work and dedicated service. She was best known for her ability to make coming to the dentist a 'fun' experience for her child clients. Shannon loved children. Shannon also had a special place in her heart for animals. She had habit of rescuing animals in distress bringing them home nursing them back to health and either keeping them or finding a special home for them. Shannon was preceded in death by her grandparents Bill and Vada Shackelford of Jackson and Harvey M. Vanhoose of Savannah; and her uncle Tommy Joe Vanhoose of Jefferson Parish Louisiana. She is survived by her grandmother Virginia Vanhoose of Jackson Tennessee; father and mother Hank and Sharon Shackelford of Jackson; her sister brother-in-law and beloved nephew Kim Brent and Jackson Henry Holland of Jackson; and numerous other aunts uncles and cousins. She is also survived by many close friends for whom Shannon was always ready and willing to help in their times of need. Shannon was the ultimate 'friend' who always put the feelings and needs of others before her own self-interests. Shannon became a 'born-again' Christian at the age of thirteen when she first professed her faith and love for her personal savior Jesus Christ. this commitment never wavered and is a source of strength and hope for her family and friends. Pallbearers are Rodney Vanhoose Rocky Vanhoose Lt. Chip Holland Craig Chandler Drew Campbell Blake Bickerstaff Bobby Glover and Rod Bigford. Honorary Pallbearers are SP4 Stephen M. Shackelford currently serving in Iraq with the U.S. Army and Benjamin Bickerstaff. In lieu of flowers Shannon 's family would ask that donations be made to Jackson Humane Society in her name. The family will receive friends at Arrington Funeral Directors on Wednesday August 4 2004 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Arrington Funeral Directors 148 W. University Parkway 731-668-1111