Alvena "Jimmie" Shelly

Alvena “Jimmie” Shelly, 90, of Van Buren, passed away Sunday, June 12, 2022 in Fort Smith. She was born February 7, 1932 in Winslow to the late Esten and Duskie (Robinson) Smith. She was a retired LPN. She loved nursing and despite her age she earned her GED in her late 50’s, received a full scholarship to enroll in Westark to pursue her second passion. She graduated the top of her class! She chose to wait for school to complete her first priority in life, raising all her kids.

Her priority has always been family and after retirement if you called and asked “whatcha doin’” she would always say, “holdin this here chair down”. Go hold that chair down in heaven now, you’ve earned it.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth L. Shelly; four sons, Kenneth Donavon, Billy Nelson, Michael Shelly, and Charles Shelly; a son-in-law, Tommy Randolph; two sisters, Melba Squires and Shirley Rogers; three brothers, Marvin and Steve Smith, and John Rogers; and a grandson, Bert Randolph.

She is survived by two daughters, Sheila Randolph and Melissa Shelly, both of Van Buren; two daughters-in-law, Pam and Hiromi Shelly, both of Van Buren; a sister, Nancy Parrish of Florida; a sister-in-law, Drucilla White of Van Buren; grandchildren, Tim and Melissa Randolph, Malissa Randolph, Eric and Kristy Randolph, William and Christie Shelly, Linda and Basil Seymour-Davies, Charity and Lewis Dickson, Christopher and Virginia Shelly, Hannah Mondal, and Ericka Shelly; fifteen great-grandchildren, Christopher, Allen, Rebekah, Grace, Faith, Lisa, Brianna, Eston, Mercedes, Haley, A.J., Vivi, Zephaniah, Henry, and Lillie; and a great-great-grandson, Dawson.

Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 17, 2022 at Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home Chapel with interment to follow at the Alma City Cemetery, under the direction of Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home of Van Buren, AR.

Pallbearers will be Tim Randolph, Eric Randolph, Eston Randolph, Lewis Dixon, William Shelly, Christopher Shelly, and Basil Seymour-Davies. Honorary pallbearers will be grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The family will visit with friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, June 16, 2022, at Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home, 4100 Alma Highway, Van Buren, AR.

Her kids, grandkids and great-grandkids gave her the greatest joy on earth. Now she joins her husband and sons, as well as her parents, and all the other family members who went before her. They can all sit and rejoice in “that there chair” made just for her way up yonder!