FLEMINGS, Elizabeth (Betty)

The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ Wednesday, May 26, 2010 Elizabeth (Betty) Shaffer Flemings was born in May 31, 1936 and passed on May 15 from complications of COPD. Elizabeth was born to Hiram and Irean (James) Stainbrook in Tanter, Iowa, where she grew up. Betty moved to California in 1953 to finish high school. She graduated from El Monte High School in 1955. After graduation she moved to northern California where she met and married Elbert Tarwater, her first husband. After marriage, the blushing bride and her husband moved to Oklahoma where her four children were born. Betty became a farmer where she spent her days working alongside her husband. In 1963 she returned to California where she lost her son Paul Tarwater. In 1973, Betty became a widow. Trying to raise her children and make it without her husband, she went back to school to become a psychiatric technician. She worked for Atascadero State Hospital for five years. She met and married Robert (Bob) Shaffer in 1977. At that time, she began working for Atascadero Christian Home as a cook. She worked diligently and eventually became supervisor of the department. Betty again became a widow when her husband Bob died in 2002. Betty moved to Wickenburg, Ariz., in 2005. Then she moved to Morristown in 2006, where she became very involved with the Wise Owl Senior Center, where she has been vice president for the past five years. Betty also volunteered at Desert Caballeros Western Museum. She gave more than 1800 hours of dedication to the work. Betty made friends wherever she went. She never saw strangers; she simply saw future friends. She was a very happy woman and loved to help in any way she could. In 2009 she met and married her last husband Dale Flemings. She left behind her husband Dale Flemings, her children Ina Engemann (Jerry), Joseph Tarwater, and Johnnie Cox. Betty left behind three brothers, one sister, seven nieces and nephews, nine grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Betty was preceded in death by both her parents, her sister Cleo, her son Paul, her two husbands, her granddaughter Jessie and her grandson Joseph Jr. A celebration of her life will be held at the Desert Caballeros Western Museum Pavilion at 10 a.m. on May 29. John Henry will officiate. Accommodations are being provided by David’s Desert Chapel Funeral Home of Wickenburg.