Betty Neighbors

BETTY JO (PARIS) NEIGHBORS, 85, of Littleton, Colorado passed away on Wednesday, June 29, 2022 after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s.  Just three days shy of her 86th birthday, God had a plan for our precious angel on Earth to spend her most amazing birthday yet in Heaven.  She touched the lives of so many with her huge heart, incredibly caring spirit, immense love of people and her contagious laughter!  She truly radiated all things good!

Betty was born in the small town of Marianna, Arkansas on July 02, 1936 to George Franklin Paris and Mildred Weaver Paris.  She had an older brother, also born of their union.  Previous marriages for both George and Mildred yielded several other half brothers and sisters for Betty, although she was the youngest of all.

George was a farmer and Mildred was a homemaker.  Times were hard for the family when Betty was growing up.  She often spoke of having nothing to wear, picking cotton for hours and having bread and water for meals.  When reflecting, she would share stories of getting one piece of clothing and fruit at Christmas.  To help support her family, she began working at a young age and left school prior to graduation.

In the late 1950’s, Betty moved to Panama City, Florida.  She earned a job at the Tally-Ho drive-in restaurant, where she eventually met the love of her life, John Joseph Neighbors (Joe).  Joe was in the United States Air Force and stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base.  They quickly became two peas in a pod and married in a beautiful small ceremony on January 25, 1958.

Just shy of two years later, Betty and Joe were blessed by their daughter, Sonia Marie Neighbors on November 18, 1960.  She was their only child, and their pride and joy.  Betty was an exceptional homemaker and stay-at-home mom that always put her family first.  They were beyond spoiled by her love and sweetness, as well as her southern cooking, charm and ways.

Over the years, military life took Betty and her family to various other states and countries, including California, Texas, France and Germany.  They settled in Littleton, Colorado, where Joe retired from the Air Force in 1972.  During the 1980’s, Betty assumed a career as an Avon representative from a dear friend who passed away.  It was a large undertaking that she mastered.  Her meticulousness and commitment earned her top awards for excellence in service.  Joe retired from his second career at Adolph Coors Company in the mid 1990’s.  They had dreams of traveling, camping and potentially moving to the Western Slope of Colorado.  Sadly, Joe passed away at the age of 65 on March 13, 2000 after long battles with both heart and lung disease.

After 42 years of marriage, Betty never dated or remarried as they had been the perfect pair.  She lived alone for 15 years after Joe’s death.  She invested most of her time in family and friends, as well as her own physical fitness, passion for gardening and maintaining her home.  She enjoyed vacations with Sonia’s family and delighted in spending time with her grandsons, Steve and Matt.  She loved going to their school and sporting events, where everyone adored her.  She cherished being an integral part of the boys’ lives, which they will always remember.

After being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2015, Betty moved to Lincoln Meadows Senior Living in Parker, Colorado.  She enjoyed seven wonderful years there until her passing.

Betty is survived by her daughter, Sonia Marie (Neighbors) Shakeshaft, Sonia’s husband of 35 years, David Reon Shakeshaft and grandsons, Steven John Shakeshaft and Matthew David Shakeshaft, all of Highlands Ranch, Colorado.

There will be a Visitation/Viewing at the Horan and McConaty Funeral Home Chapel at 5303 E. County Line Road, Centennial, CO 80122 on Thursday, July 28, 2022 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.  It will be followed by the Funeral Service from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the same location.  The Committal Ceremony will be at Fort Logan National Cemetery at 4400 W. Kenyon Avenue, Denver, CO 80236 from 2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.  Meet at Staging Area A by 1:50 p.m.

If you would like to help fight Alzheimer’s, the family suggests sending memorial donations in Betty’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association Colorado Chapter.  All money will stay in Colorado for research and programs.  Donate at www.alz.org/co or send a check to:

Alzheimer’s Association Colorado Chapter
455 N. Sherman Street #500
Denver, CO 80203