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The Matriarch of our family passed away Saturday morning, April 30, 2022, at age 90. Billie Mack (Callen) Shaffer was born July 29, 1931, in Eureka Springs, Ark. to Caron Delet Herring Callen and Fleman Mack Callen. They lived on a farm southeast of Blue Eye until 1938 when her folks built a home/store in town on the Missouri side of the state line. She started to school at Blue Eye R-V and graduated in 1950. Billie attended SMSU for a year and went to work in Springfield, until she met her lifemate in Branson on July 4, 1955. They married July 30, 1955.
Her husband worked in electrical construction over several states. They followed construction in Indiana, Tennessee, Pennsylvania and Illinois before returning to Blue Eye in 1957 to help her folks in their business. Billie went to work at Blue Eye School in 1967 and retired in 1994 after 27 years of being bookkeeper and secretary to the Superintendent and Principals. She was also a bookkeeper for their business, Shaffer Pump Service.
During her years at Blue Eye School, she enjoyed the students and teachers so much. After retiring, she loved hearing updates and continued to speak of them as “her kids”.
Billie Mack was baptized in Yocum Creek and joined Mount Olivet Free Will Baptist Church on Nov. 4, 1945. She joined The Order of the Eastern Star in December 1950 and was a lifelong member.
Billie was very proud of her Ozarks roots. During her life, she saw many changes such as the building of Table Rock Dam and the area becoming a vacation destination. She could strike up a conversation with anyone and had a caring heart for animals, adopting many strays over the years.
Billie’s interests included crafts, cake decorating, sewing, travel and reading a good mystery. Her meals were delicious and well planned. She made lots of Christmas candies and shared them with friends.
Billie Mack was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Clifford Everett Shaffer. She is survived by her daughters, LaShell (Bill) Stearns of Walnut Shade, Mo. and Denise (Kirk) Cameron of Fort Collins, Colo. By grandson, Phillip (Nichole) Stearns of Nixa, Mo., and great-granddaughter, Kennedy Stearns.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Friday, May 6, 2022 at the Charles M. Nelson Memorial Chapel in Berryville, Ark. The funeral will be at the Mount Olivet Free Will Baptist Church in Blue Eye, Mo. on Saturday, May 7, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow the service at Blue Eye Cemetery under the direction of Nelson Funeral Service.
Memorial donations can be made to the Mount Olivet Free Will Baptist Church. Online condolences may be sent to family at nelsonfuneral.com.
