Shirley Ann “Cank” Nielsen, 85, of Fort Smith, Arkansas passed away Saturday, July 19, 2025 in Fort Smith. She was born July 4, 1940 in Slaytonville, Arkansas to Homer and Barbara (Walker) Bishop. She was retired from McKesson Drug and MediSav Pharmacy and was a member of the First Baptist Church in Midland, Arkansas.
She is survived by one stepson, Paul Dean Nielsen; one sister, Dorcus Thomas; six nieces and nephews and their families, Bill and Peggy Thomas, Sheri and Darrell Brown, Connie and Hank Taylor, Alan and Penny Bishop, Tiffany and Shawn Jameson and Julaine and Dan Pearson; one great grandson, Axel Nielsen and several cousins. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husbands, Fred Nielsen and Charles Blythe; one brother, Buford Bishop; brother-in-law, Harley Thomas and a granddaughter, Abigail Nielsen.
Funeral service will be 2 p.m., Thursday, July 24 at McConnell Funeral Home Chapel in Greenwood with burial at Old Union Cemetery in Hackett. Viewing will be Wednesday from 1 – 7 p.m. at the funeral home, where the family will visit with friends from 5 – 7 p.m.
Pallbearers will be nephews. Honorary pallbearers will be Loyd Morris and Donald Morris.
The family would like to say a special thank you, especially to the Home Instead staff and caregivers, including LaTia Stites and Evalyn Hill, Methodist Village Senior Living staff and the Mercy Hospice staff.
Memorial contributions may be made to Methodist Village Senior Living, 7425 Euper Lane, Fort Smith, AR 72903 or Mercy Hospice, 6801 Rogers Ave., Fort Smith, AR 72903.
To share a memory or leave a message for the family, please visit www.mcconnellfh.com.
