Shirley Shelton

Shirley Dale Southard Shelton of Gassville, Arkansas, passed away November 20, 2025, in Mountain Home, Arkansas at the age of 102. She was born January 17, 1923, in Iuka, Arkansas, the daughter of W.T. Southard and Mary Jane Fields Southard. She married Bathis Shelton on January 28, 1940, in Iuka, Arkansas. They had two children, Bonnie Marie Shelton and Gary Neil Shelton. Shirley and Bathis retired in Mountain Home, Arkansas, and happily lived on Redwing Trail. Bathis passed away in 1998. Shirley lived alone and attended church at First Freewill Baptist Church for many years. She loved singing in the choir with Bonnie when they moved to Arkansas. One evening while preparing for bed, she heard singing on the TV and came back in. She stood there listening and said "do you know what I would do, if I had to do it all over again? I'd be up there on that stage like that girl in the shiny blue dress." Shirley moved in with John and Bonnie at the Monkey Run area, where she enjoyed sewing and still sang. At over 100 years old, she moved into the Hiram Shaddox nursing center, where she passed away at 102 years old, still wondering why she lived so long.

Shirley is survived by her daughter, Bonnie Heenan of Gassville, AR; grandchildren, Debi Heenan Carlson, Jonise Heenan Stone, Angie Shelton Brabender, Rick Shelton, and Jaclyn Shelton Curtis; great-grandchildren, Jasmond Heenan, Jacklyn Stone, Jennifer Stone Rind, Eric Carlson, Adam Carlson, Alyssa Carlson, Jessie Fox, Cassandra Peck, Amber Capes , Amber Brabender Capes, Tyler Brabender, Katelyn Curtis, Chase Curtis, and Brodie Curtis; and great-great-grandchildren, Micah Carlson, Ava Heenan, Ellia Heenan, Mila Heenan, Daxton Heenan, Indy Rind, Ivy Rind, Collin Fox, and Adeline Capes. Her grandchildren were all important to Shirley. She was their "Momo". She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son, Gary Shelton; granddaughter, Sherry Shelton Fox; and great-grandson, Jeramiah Christesen.

Visitation will be Monday, November 24, 2025, from 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm, at Kirby & Family Funeral Home Chapel. A Funeral Service for Shirley will be 2:00 pm, Monday, November 24, 2025, at Kirby & Family Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor Travis Alexander officiating. Burial will be in the Hand Cemetery, Jordan, Arkansas. Arrangements are by Kirby and Family Funeral and Cremation Services - Mountain Home, Arkansas. Visit an online obituary and guestbook at www.kirbyandfamily.com.