Betty Shofner Cecil

Betty Shofner Cecil passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 6, 2016 from complications of Parkinson’s Disease. She lived in Algiers for the past 41 years including the last four as a resident at Our Lady of Wisdom Healthcare Center. Betty was much loved by her family and close friends and will be sorely missed. She was born in Ozan, Arkansas on September 16, 1927 to her late parents, Robert Lee and Grace Lewis Shofner and is survived by her beloved and devoted husband of 67 years, Owen Clyde Cecil; granddaughters, Callie Byrne Fitzgerald (Wesley) and Amy Byrne Young (Shane) and great-grandson, Charles Bentley Fitzgerald. Betty was preceded in death by her sister Marjorie Shofner Rosche, her son David Owen Cecil and her daughter Cynthia Cecil Byrne. Betty Grew up in Texarkana, Arkansas and Jackson, Tennessee and graduated from Lubbock (Texas) High School before attending Texas Christian University and Texas A & I University. Betty and Clyde met and were married in Corpus Christi, Texas and have since resided in New Orleans, Grand Isle, Houston, Woodsboro and Kingsville, Texas while Clyde worked as a Petroleum Engineer for Humble Oil (Exxon). They took great pleasure in their family and traveled extensively stateside and overseas, visiting Europe, Asia, Africa and the South Pacific Islands. They lived in Australia for three years before returning to New Orleans in 1975. Betty enjoyed gardening, oil and water color art painting, cooking and entertaining her family and many friends. She was a longtime member of the Aurora Plantation Garden Club, a member of the Exxon/Mobil Retiree’s Club and for many years, the leader of the Altar Guild at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the visitation at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, 3643 Aurora Drive, New Orleans, LA 70131 on Saturday, February 13, 2016 from 9 AM until 11 AM. A Memorial Service will be held at 11 AM and a reception will follow in the Parish Hall.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her memory to St. Philip’s Episcopal Church or to the American Parkinson Disease Assoc., Business Processing Center, P.O. Box 9575, Wilton, NH 03086-9575.
MOTHE FUNERAL HOME is assisting the family during this difficult time. For directions or to view and sign the online guest book, please visit: www.mothefunerals.com .