Beverly Louise Merchant Shaffer, age 93, was born April 5, 1927, in Allegan, Michigan. She passed away peacefully October 5, 2020, in the comfort of her daughter Connie (Paul) Brooks home in Merritt Island, Florida. As always, Beverly’s family was by her side.
Beverly is predeceased by her parents Wayne and Evah Merchant, husband Frank Shaffer, and daughter Nancy Jo Shaffer Jacobs. Also, her sister Elaine Joan Merchant Wood, infant brother Kenneth Leo Merchant, and great-nephew Troy Smith.
Beverly was the second child of Allegan farmers Wayne and Evah Porter Merchant. She graduated from Allegan High School in 1946.
After high school, Beverly trained, then worked, as an X-ray technician at Allegan County Hospital. On April 3, 1948, Beverly married the love of her life, Frank Shaffer. In time, they welcomed daughters Connie Ann (Paul) and Nancy Jo (Stephen).
In 1954, Beverly and Frank opened a floral shop together. Holiday Floral, still a thriving Allegan business, touched nearly every family in the area. While they created beautiful floral arrangements, Beverly and Frank always had a listening ear and kind word for the people they served. They supported families through celebrations and tragedy. Daughters Connie and Nancy Jo, as well as all her nieces, learned these caring traits by making corsages and delivering arrangements. They saw firsthand Beverly’s patience and the joy of helping others. Her love of floral design has been passed down to her granddaughters, who enjoy helping others design and prepare their wedding flowers.
A life-long member of Allegan Baptist Church, Beverly enjoyed serving alongside old and new friends. Even after moving from Allegan in later years, she used the church bulletin as a way to pray and keep up with people she had loved for years.
Beverly was a member of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants. She had several Mayflower Pilgrim ancestors: John and Priscilla Alden, the Chilton family, and Governor William Bradford’s second wife Alice Southworth. Beverly also belonged to Alden Kindred of America through Mayflower Pilgrim John Alden. Through ancestor Josiah Southworth, Jr., Beverly was a member of The National Society of The Daughters of the American Revolution. Descendants of this Revolutionary War Patriot are buried near Beverly in Allegan’s Mallory Cemetery.
She is survived by her brother, Virgil Merchant, daughter Connie (Paul) Brooks, granddaughter Carrie (Ian) Brooks, great-grandson Grayson Carl Brooks (born May 2, 2018), granddaughter Hillery (Drew) Powers, grandsons Levi Brooks and Massey (Lauren) Brooks, son-in-law Stephen Jacobs and grandson Jonathan (Emily) Jacobs. Also grieving are Beverly’s nieces and nephews:
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