Betty Lee Shireman

Betty Lee Shireman, age 103, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, after a long and well lived life. Born in 1920 in St. Joseph, Missouri, Betty lived her life in the greater Kansas City area, graduating from Southeast High School.

Betty had many passions including her family, cooking and baking, painting, making jewelry, square dancing, and playing music. She was a true artist with several paintings that captured her favorite place, the mountains of Colorado. She loved western art and sold her paintings in local art shows and gifted her works to family and friends. She was considered a silversmith making a lot of her own silver and turquoise jewelry. She would frequently host “pickin parties” playing country and bluegrass music with her husband, Bud, and all their friends in the front yard. Bud and Betty spent most summers in the foothills of the Colorado mountains horseback riding, exploring Jeep trails and enjoying the beautiful scenery.

Betty’s biggest joy was her three children, Judy, John, and Jim. In her younger days the three kept her quite busy with all their school activities, sporting events, dances and helping organize Teen Town. She also enjoyed spending time with family at the Lake of the Ozarks. Watching her kids water ski, play hide-n-seek and spending time on the dock fishing. After the kids were grown, Betty enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Betty had many friends at Blue Ridge Presbyterian Church and Willow Estates, which was her home for over 20 years. Even when it became challenging for Betty to make it to church, they kept in contact and would bring church to her home, praying and offering communion. Betty attended many social functions at Willow Estates and could be frequently seen visiting with friends and residents in the community room and outside on the patio.

At 103 years old, she is preceded in death by many, including her husband, Richard “Bud” Shireman and several other family members and friends. Her surviving family members include her children Judy (Steve) Lampkin, John (Jan) Shireman, and Jim Shireman. Her grandchildren Curt Lynch, Christy (Luke) Vyhanek, Kim (Mike) Lintz, Tammy (Brian) Lindsey, Kelly Clark, Christine Sweeney, Cassie Sloan, and Jimmy Shireman. Great grandchildren include Alex Lynch, Andrew Plumlee, Brooks Plumlee, Kevin Lintz, Kyle Lintz, Lauren Lindsey, Jacob Lindsey, Gabrielle (Chris) Markus, Zach Clark, Allyson Clark, Ashlie Elver, and Allysa Elver.

A celebration of life will be held at Floral Hills Funeral Home, located at 7000 Blue Ridge Boulevard, Kansas City, Missouri 64133 on Thursday, May 25, 2023: Visitation: 9:00-10:00 Celebration of Life Funeral Service: 10:00-11:00 Committal and Interment: 11:00-11:15.

The family asks that donations be made in memory of Betty to the Salvation Army.