[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 54 (Friday, March 29, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E290-E291]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING MRS. LENORE DeVAUGHN GOLDEN SHACKELFORD

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 29, 2024

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a loving 
wife, dedicated mother, pioneering educator, committed community 
activist, ardent community servant, faithful woman of God and friend of 
longstanding, Ms. Lenore DeVaughn Golden Shackelford.
  Sadly, Mrs. Shackelford passed from labor to reward on Thursday, 
March 14, 2024. A homegoing service to celebrate her remarkable life 
will be held on Saturday, March 30, 2024, at the Beulah Missionary 
Baptist Church in Quitman, Georgia.
  The Genesis of the life of Mrs. Lenore Shackelford began on April 17, 
1929, as she was born to the union of the late Corine Golden and A.Z. 
Graddick. She was a proud product of the Brooks County School System, 
graduating from Brooks County High School in 1945.
  A love of family permeated the life of Mrs. Shackelford, and she 
united in Holy Matrimony to Herbert Duane Shackelford and to this 
blessed union a son was born, the late Herbert Duane Shackelford II.
  A lifelong and avid learner, Mrs. Shackelford attended and graduated 
from Savannah State College (now university) with a Bachelor of Science 
Degree in 1950. She also received a Master of Education, Guidance and 
Counseling from Florida A&M University in 1959. Mrs. Shackelford also 
attended Tennessee A&I, Valdosta State, and the University of Georgia.
  Her long and storied career in education began in 1950 as a Social 
Studies Teacher at Morven Rosenwald High School. She was also an 
elementary school teacher at Empress Elementary School from 1954 to 59. 
Subsequently, she became a guidance counselor in 1959 at Washington 
Street High School in Quitman. Mrs. Shackelford continued her 
counseling career at Brooks County Junior High in 1970 and completed 
her fulfilling career at Brooks County High, retiring in 1989. It has 
been said that ``Education is the passport to the future, it belongs to 
those who prepare for it today.'' Mrs. Shackelford did an extraordinary 
job in preparing countless young people for their futures. Because of 
her dedication and stellar commitment to our young people, she received 
many awards and commendations. She also helped many young people 
receive scholarships that helped advance their educational dreams.
  Mrs. Shackelford dedicated her life to the betterment of her beloved 
Brooks County. Always the community activist, she was instrumental in 
making Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday a holiday for Brooks 
County Schools in 1988. Continuing that activism, she was pivotal in 
getting the longest street in Quitman, (the former Washington Street) 
named after Dr. King. Mrs. Shackelford truly believed in these words: 
``Activism is standing up for what you believe in, even when it is not 
the popular opinion.'' Mrs. Shackelford was not concerned about what 
was popular, she was concerned about what was right and just.
  Shirley Chisholm once said that ``Service is the rent that we pay for 
the space that we occupy here on this earth.'' Mrs. Shackelford paid 
her rent, and she paid it well. Mrs. Shackelford gave her time, 
treasure, and talent to many organizations over the course of her life, 
to include: Order of the Eastern Star, Love Joy Chapter No. 426, where 
she was Worthy Matron. She also held two Grand Lodge offices, Grand 
Adah and Grand Lecturer. She was a member of Scott Azalea Assembly No. 
289, Order of the Golden Circle of Valdosta, Georgia, where she 
received the ``Golden Lady of the Orient'' award, which was the highest 
honor that any Loyal Lady can receive in the State. She was a Charter 
member and past Commandress of Ossipe Court No. 186. She was also a 
member of the esteemed

[[Page E291]]

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Always concerned about her 
professional development, she was a member of the National Teachers 
Organization; Georgia Association of Educators; Brooks County 
Association of Educators; Brooks County Retired Educators Association 
(serving as president for many years); the Georgia Retired Educators 
Association; Georgia School Counselors Association and Georgia 
Association of School Counselors.
  Mrs. Shackelford loved her family and her community, but most of all 
she loved her God. At an early age, she joined the Beulah Missionary 
Baptist Church in Quitman, Georgia where she was a member of the 
trustee board, church clerk, secretary, choir member and served as a 
chairperson of several committees and programs, working closely with 
many of Beulah's pastors over the years. The Scripture tells us that 
``She was full of good works and acts of charity.'' Mrs. Shackelford 
used her love of God to magnify His kingdom through her good works.
  Mrs. Shackelford accomplished much in her life but none of it would 
have been possible without the grace of God and the love and support of 
her late husband, Herbert Duane Shackelford I, her late son, Herbert 
Duane Shackelford II, and her grandchildren, Herbert Duane Shackelford 
III, and Brianna Shackelford, along with a host of other loved ones and 
special friends.
  On a personal note, Mrs. Shackelford was my longtime friend and 
supporter. Many of her closest friends, and I, endearingly referred to 
her as ``Miz Shack''. Over the years she blessed me with wise counsel 
and sage advice. She never told me just what I wanted to hear; she 
always told me just what I needed to hear. I will be forever grateful 
for the fidelity of her friendship over more than three decades.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to 
join my wife, Vivian, and me, along with the people of Georgia's 2nd 
Congressional District, the State of Georgia and beyond in celebrating 
the life and legacy of Mrs. Lenore DeVaughn Golden Shackelford. 
Moreover, we extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends and 
all who mourn her loss. May we all be consoled and comforted by an 
abiding faith and the Holy Spirit in the days, weeks and months ahead.

                          ____________________