Verlee F. Backues

Verlee Fay Backues (Shockley), age 84, of Belle, entered unto eternal rest on Monday, August 7, 2023 at her home surrounded by family.

Verlee was born December 25, 1938, in Belle, Mo, a daughter of the late John Edward and Veta May (Gibbons) Shockley.

Verlee was a lifelong Belle resident and a 1956 graduate of Belle High School. She was also a lifelong member of the Faith Baptist Church and a devoted follower of Jesus.

On June 18, 1960, she was united in marriage to Marvin Edward Backues. They had just celebrated 63 wonderful years of marriage. Marvin survives in the home.

Verlee raised three children while working as a secretary for the Belle Counter factory (shoe factory) for 41 years. She also worked part time as a teller at the Belle State Bank for a few years.  

Verlees first love was her family. She enjoyed feeding anyone who came into her home. You were never allowed to leave hungry. She was famous for her chocolate sheet cake. Verlee and Marvin spent a lot of their free time traveling with their friends, Lena and Bernie McIntire and Viginia and Wimp Woolley, visiting 48 states. She enjoyed being outside, burning brush, helping with cattle, making quilts, doing  puzzles and organizing the family garage sales. Verlee was a hard worker, loved like Jesus, had a true servant heart and a beautiful soul. She will be missed greatly by all who knew her.

In addition to her husband, Verlee is survived by: her three children, Daughter Toleda Jett and her husband Terry of Belle, Trent Backues of Jefferson City, and Terak Backues and his wife Trina of Belle; seven grandkids, Garrett, Kanon, Genna, Brittni, Claire, Graci, and Cambell; nine great grandkids, Cody, Elli, Brody, Rylan, Emerson, Kaison, Karson, Sloane, and Baby G; one sister, Virginia Woolley of Belle; and one brother, Jerry Shockley of Belle plus many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Verlee is preceded in death by her grandparents and parents, a brother, Leonard “Deacon” Shockley, brother-in-law Harold “Wimp” Woolley, brother-in-law Jake Backues, and a sister in-law as well as several nieces, nephews, and friends.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, September 9, 2023 at the Faith Baptist Church in Belle beginning at 12:00 p.m. with Tim Redmond officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Faith Baptist Church fellowship fund.