Shelby J. Harkins

Shelby J. Harkins, age 85, of Montevallo, AL, Pea Ridge Community, passed away on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, after fighting a two-year battle with cancer. Throughout her life, she was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She was a woman of strong faith who faced life's challenges with courage, strength, determination, and grace. She was a faithful member of the Montevallo Church of Christ and enjoyed reading her Bible when no longer able to attend services.
She married Howard Harkins in 1956 and moved to Pea Ridge, Alabama where they shared 49 happy years of marriage, building a life and raising a family. She cherished her small community and the lives they built there.
She was a graduate of Montevallo High School and worked at the University of Montevallo for 36 years as Bookstore manager and Director of Auxiliary Services. She loved the University and enjoyed interacting with students, faculty and staff and made lifelong friendships there.
She was active in the community serving in Montevallo Civitan, Alabama Bookstore Association, Pea Ridge Senior Center, as well as other community activities.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard Harkins; mother, Flora Boothe; father, Cecil Boothe; and her sister, Janice (Lewis) Goggins.
She is survived by her daughters, Rhonda (Roy) Lucas and Rachel (John) Jarrett; granddaughters, Cheryl (Ryan) Tipton and Emily (Jeremy) Gardiner; grandson, Alex Jarrett; great grandson, Case Gardiner; sisters, Jeanette Allen and Dottie Houlditch; and brother, James Ray (Gail) Boothe.
A visitation will be Sunday night, August 18, 2024, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm in the Charter Funeral Home Chapel. Shelby will lie in state on Monday, August 19, 2024, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am with the funeral service starting at 11:00 am. She will be laid to rest in Montevallo City Cemetery. John Priola and Chuck Martin will be officiating.