Sue-Beall (Blanton) Shaffer

Sue-Beall Blanton Shaffer, 84, of Argyle, a longtime Denton County, Texas, resident, passed away at Medical City Denton, on December 28, following complications of surgery. Her husband, Bill, and son, Brian were by her side at the time.

Sue-Beall was born on March 3, 1936, in Fort Worth, TX, to parents, Jenny Louise and Matt S. Blanton, Sr., and delivered by her uncle, Dr. Albert Hooper, a neighborhood obstetrician and gynecologist, who delivered her mother 33 years earlier. Proud to be a fifth generation Texan, born just a few days before the centennial anniversary of Texas Independence, Sue-Beall was steeped in the history of her native state, beginning in early childhood, and by her mother, a teacher, educated at nearby Texas Wesleyan College and Pennsylvania College for Women; Blanton Elementary in Arlington is named for Louise.

Sue-Beall grew up in Arlington, TX, where Louise taught fourth grade and Matt based his professional sales career. She attended John A. Kooken Elementary and Arlington High School, graduating in 1954 as a varsity cheerleader and member of the National Honor Society. She attended UTA (then, Arlington State College) and later graduated from TCU in 1959 with a degree in elementary education. That same year, she and Bill Shaffer, a Dallas police officer, married in Arlington. Sue-Beall taught fifth grade in the Richardson ISD and later taught pre-school at the Dallas Health and Science Museum. Bill retired from the police force in 1976, and the couple began exploring new ventures, founding a successful financial services firm and moving to Argyle after 35 years in Dallas, where they had raised two sons, Douglas and Brian.

A tireless volunteer, Sue-Beall worked for numerous institutions and civic organizations, including the Hall of State, The Science Place at Dallas Fair Park, and the Dallas County Heritage Society’s Old City Park. She had also served on the Denton County Historical Commission and was a vigorous supporter of her regional chapter of The Daughters of the Republic of Texas. Sue-Beall was also an avid genealogist.

Sue-Beall is preceded in death by her parents, Matthew, Sr., and Louise and by her son, Douglas. In addition to her husband, Bill Shaffer, and son, Brian Shaffer, she is survived by her brother, Matthew Blanton, Jr.; daughter-in-law Michelle Shaffer; and granddaughters, Cheryl and Sarahbeall Shaffer.

Sue-Beall was laid to rest in a private ceremony on January 4, 2021 at Sparkman Hillcrest Cemetery in Dallas.