Betty Shackelford Gross

Betty Shackelford Gross, 85, of Kingston Springs, TN passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on May 1^st, 2024.

Betty was born on July 16, 1938, in Andalusia, Alabama to Samuel E. and April M. (Wright) Shackelford.  She was a graduate of New Brockton High School. In 1966, she married Francis (Frank) Gross in Alabama.  As a young girl Betty always dreamed of living in Tennessee and in a roundabout way she made it there. After first living in Alabama, she and Frank moved to Minnesota. They then spent a few years in Atlanta, Georgia before Betty finally made it to Tennessee in 1984.  Job changes led to more moves, and she spent another year living in Minnesota and a few more in Georgia before finally returning to her beloved state of Tennessee in 1999 where she lived out the remainder of her years.   

Betty had many interests.  In her younger days, she enjoyed remodeling the homes she lived in.  In fact, she was even known to do things like knock out a wall to speed the process along.  She was an avid reader and loved word games.  She especially enjoyed a game of scrabble.  She also enjoyed gardening and bird watching.  Betty was a great cook, and it was her meals that brought her family together.  Almost every Sunday her family gathered at her house to enjoy dinner together.  Afterwards, they would catch up on the events of the week over coffee.  

Betty had a close-knit family.  First came her daughter Beth and later her son Tony.  Her children adored her and when they had children of their own, she went from being “mom” to being “Nana”: A name that her family still affectionally calls her. As Nana, she played a vital role in the upbringing of her grandchildren, who all loved her dearly.   

Betty is survived by her husband Francis A. Gross II, daughter Beth Scott (Todd), son Francis A. Gross III (Joy Elizabeth Gross), grandsons Samuel and Owen Scott, and grand daughter Sophie Claire Gross, as well as her brother, Wayne (Becky) Shackelford. She was proceeded in death by her parents Samuel E. Shackelford and April M. (Wright) Shackelford, bother Waylon Shackelford, and sister Ann (Shackelford) Sandborn.  

The family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation to S.C.A.M.P. Saving Cheatham Animals Mission PAWsible.