Elizabeth Lee "Beth" Shackelford Cheshier, age 62, of Boone, North Carolina, passed away on June 2, 2023 after a brave battle with pancreatic cancer.

Beth was born on September 10th, 1960, to Gene and Frances Shackelford in Victoria, Texas. After graduating high school from Caribbean School in Ponce, Puerto Rico in 1979, Beth went on to earn her B.A., a double major in Education and Bible from Columbia International University in Columbia, South Carolina.

In June 1982, Beth married Doug Cheshier in El Dorado, Arkansas. After raising their children, Caleb, Rachel and Emily, Beth went back to teaching in the classroom. At her passing, Beth was a third-grade teacher at Grace Academy, and one of the founding teachers where she played a vital role in carrying out the vision of classical education for the school. Beth had the gift of teaching and wanted children to learn, love learning and know how to think. If you knew Beth at all, you know that her greatest joy was teaching -- and being "Mae" for -- her three granddaughters Briley, Josephine, and Leland.

Since she was a child, Beth loved Jesus and was a person of deep faith. Beth was a friend and mentor to many and enjoyed cooking, especially for other people. A traveler, gardener, and voracious reader; one of Beth's most enduring talents was turning any conversation line into a song.

Beth was predeceased in death by her mother Frances Shackelford and grandbaby Bowen Sawyer. Beth is survived by her husband Doug Cheshier; son Caleb Cheshier, daughter-in-law Jessica and granddaughter Josephine; daughter Rachel Cheshier, partner Joshua and granddaughter Briley; daughter Emily Sawyer, son-in-law Clint and granddaughter Leland; her father Gene Shackelford and wife Jeanette; brother Russell Shackelford and wife Jenny; and sister Lesa Engelthaler and husband Mark.

Beth loved books. In lieu of flowers, it was Beth's desire that books be donated to Grace Academy. To honor her legacy, Grace Academy is establishing the Beth Cheshier Memorial Library. Donations to purchase books for the new library can be mailed to Grace Academy, PO Box 1212, Boone, NC 28607 or online: https://www.graceacademyboone.com/support-ga/donate.cfm.

Memorial service will be held June 10th, 10:30am at Alliance Bible Fellowship church, 1035 North Carolina Hwy 105 Bypass, Boone, NC.

Online condolences may be sent to the Cheshire family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com

Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.