Gloria Anne Shannon, 75, of Fort Smith, Arkansas passed away Sunday, September 30, 2018 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. She was born December 14, 1942 in Okmulgee, Oklahoma to C. Gene Barton and Charlicey M. Dawson Barton. Gloria was a member of Grand Ave Baptist Church where she taught 8th grade Sunday school for many years along with being a member of the church choir. She sat on the church building committee for the development of the Education Building. She was a member and past president of Sparks Guild and past board member for the Western Arkansas Ballet.
Gloria was an avid tennis player, playing with friends in both Fort Smith and Nashville, Tennessee and winning the Over Fifty Ladies team State Tournament with her Nashville team. She will always be remembered for her loving spirit and commitment to family, friends and community.
Gloria was preceded in death by her parents; and sister, Luana K. Pershall.
She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Jimmie Shannon; sons, Christopher G. Shannon and Joshua L. Shannon, both of Nashville, TN; sister, Faye M. Villines (Richard) of Van Buren, AR; brother, C. Gene Barton, Jr. (Beverly) of Shreveport, LA; grandchildren, Jayne E. Shannon and Wesley E. Shannon, both of Nashville, TN.
Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Friday, October 5, 2018 at Grand Avenue Baptist Church. Graveside service will be 2:30 p.m. at Bethesda Cemetery in Lincoln, Arkansas.
Visitation with viewing will be 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday at Edward’s Funeral Home. Services are entrusted to Edward’s Funeral Home, Fort Smith, Arkansas.
Pallbearers will be Cleve McDonald, Jim Ford, Preston Cox, Richard Villines, Hardie Jefferies and Paul Glover. Honorary Pallbearers will be the whole Adult 7 Sunday School Class.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to The Multiple System Atrophy Coalition, 9935-D Rea Road, #212, Charlotte, NC. 28277 or www.multiplesystsematrophy.org
