Notably in Lake Charles history, she was the granddaughter of Angus Bouie McCain, Captain of the Borealis Rex, and his wife, Cora Peake, tying her roots back to a LC founding family. Born January 8, 1924 on her parent’s farm in Grand Lake, LA, Betty graduated at 16, salutatorian of GLHS Class of 1940. At 19, she met Army Air Corp pilot Frank W. Sheridan, Jr., stationed at Chennault Strategic Air Command Base, Lake Charles, during World War II. Looking to hunt ducks, Frank was directed toward Cameron Parish to find the McCain place, and Betty answered the door! They married 5 weeks and 2 days later, just before he was deployed to the European theater. Betty worked as a telephone operator in Lake Charles awaiting Frank’s return. After the war, they lived in Ohio, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Virginia, where Betty devoted herself to raising their three children. She became an expert tour guide of Washington DC and Historic Williamsburg for the many family members who visited them. Sadly, Betty was widowed at age 43. In 1971, she returned to Lake Charles, making it her home for nearly 50 years. The 2 hurricanes of 2020 damaged her home, necessitating a move to her daughter’s home in Fort Worth for the last chapter of her life.
Betty and Frank were Charter members of the Springfield Christian Church in VA. Betty was an active member of First Christian Church in Lake Charles, serving in worship, leadership, women’s ministries & youth education roles. She was an industrious and imaginative homemaker, famously frugal, and loved the hunt for a bargain! An excellent seamstress, she fashioned her own and her children’s clothes. She repaired and refinished antiques, frequented auctions, and dabbled in painting. Known for her blunt honesty, her quick wit, and as an accomplished hostess, Betty was generous to those who needed a place to stay, financial help, or life advice. Once her children were raised, Betty traveled the globe on tours, gregariously making friends worldwide.
Betty is preceded in death by her husband, Frank; parents, Mima Hebert and George Angus McCain; sister, Berniece Greathouse; brothers, Curtis McCain and Vernon McCain.
Those left to cherish her memory her children, Ginette Sheridan of Lake Charles, Mac Sheridan (Paula) of Stanwood, WA. and Trisha Sheridan-Stanfill (Peter) of Fort Worth, TX.; seven grandchildren, Ryan, Lindsay, Paul, Patrick, Grace, Evan and Cameron; two great-granddaughters, Ivy and Helena and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Monday, May 22, 2023 at Hixson Funeral Home of Lake Charles beginning at 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and will resume on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home officiated by Rev. Bobbie Yellott.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the James L West Center for Dementia Care, Fort Worth, or the American Heart Association of Louisiana.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com for the Sheridan family.
