Shirley Beth Stephens was born on July 22, 1941 in Shenandoah, Iowa the daughter of Carl "Short" and Marvis Stephens. Shirley Beth entered into eternal peace on September 5, 2011 at her home in New York.

Shirley Beth's early years were spent on the family farm outside of Shenandoah. She attended Mount Vernon country school a half mile from the farm. She studied dance at the Connie Stewart Dance Studio in Shenandoah, and later helped to teach dance there as well until she graduated from high school. Shirley Beth graduated from Shenandoah High School with the Class of 1959. She trained in ballet with Evelyn Lemone and Tedd Welch from 1959-1963. During that time she also studied Liberal Arts at Pasadena City College. In the mid-eighties she received her Dance Therapy Certificate from New School for Social Research.

On December 18, 1976 she was united in marriage to Otto Jacoby in New York. Shirley Beth had a passion for the arts. Her career began as a LeMone Concert Dancer, then she danced for the Ballet Repertory, followed by the Merry-Go Rounders-dance theater for children and she was an assistant choreographer for Finnin Productions but also served as a dancer and company manager. She also taught ballet, jazz and tap at the Lighthouse, Lower East Side International Community School, East Harlem, Bronx Teen Centers and the Ashford Center throughout most of her life. Shirley Beth was in a number of productions including but not limited to; "Gypsy", "Guys and Dolls", "Once Upon A Time", "Let There Be Joy" and "The Blacksmith's Daughters". She later retired from Administration for Children's Services in New York where she worked with disabled and foster children teaching them her love of dance and exercise.

Besides dancing around the world and the United States, Shirley Beth loved to travel. She also loved to cook for her family and friends. She had a zest for life and embraced each and every day.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents Carl "Short" and Marvis Stephens; sisters Phyllis Hein and Rozann Stephens and brother Bill Stephens.

She is survived by her five nephews Stephen Hein of Sioux City, IA, Michael Hein of Murfreesboro, TN, Tracy Hein of Murfreesboro, TN, Ludlo Stephens of Ankeny, IA and Lindsey Stephens of Shenandoah, IA; sister-in-law Lynda Stephens of Shenandoah, IA; brother-in-law Paul Hein of Murfreesboro, TN and her extended family and friends in New York and around the world.