of Searcy, AR

January 19, 1948 - January 13, 2025

On January 13, 2025, Arthur L. Shearin transitioned to his eternal home after an extended battle with Alzheimer's Disease. Arthur was born to Burton and Hattie Shearin on January 19, 1948 in Memphis, Tennessee. He was proud to have been raised on a farm in Bolivar where he acquired frugality and a work ethic that he carried with him throughout his life. Growing up, he was involved in 4H club and band where he played trombone and was drum major.

Arthur was an extraordinary student. He held the A.A. degree from Freed-Hardeman University, the B.A. in music from Harding University, the M.M. in voice from Memphis State University and the D.M.A. in choral music from the University of Colorado at Boulder. After military service, he taught at Harding from 1972 to 1974, where he served as director of the Chorale. From 1976 to 1982, Arthur was chairman of the Department of Music and director of the Chorale at Freed-Hardeman. He returned to Harding in 1982 and retired in 2014. In addition to his work as department chairman, he founded Concert Choir which he directed for 22 years. He also taught voice, vocal pedagogy and diction. He was Auditions Chairman for the southern region of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), a faculty sponsor for Alpha Chi National Honor Scholarship Society, vice president of Region Nine (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas) of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) and distinguished past president of the Searcy Kiwanis Club. He served as an elder of the College Church for 16 years and also co-taught the Faith Builders class until his health necessitated that he relinquish those duties.

Besides music, Arthur was passionate about his church and its history, his family, traveling, keeping a clean car, maintaining an immaculate yard, eating ice cream with a fork and being organized, punctual and frugal.

Arthur was preceded in death by his mother, Hattie Crawford Shearin; his father, James Burton Shearin and his brother, James Kenneth Shearin. He is survived by his wife of fifty-three years, Sheri Tipps Shearin; son, Jared Scott Shearin and daughter, Elizabeth Anne (Daniel) Thomason; nine grandchildren, Jordan (Anna), Keaton (Laurel), Cameron, Mariya and Aidan Shearin and Seth, Finn, Hattie Claire and Ford Thomason and two great-grandchildren, Evelynn and Everett Shearin. He is also survived by his brother, Michael (Nita) Shearin and his sister, Rosemarie (David) House; his niece, Ashley (Troy) Hudgens; nephew, Andy (Monica) House; great-nephews, Joshua and Jacob Hudgens, Caleb, Matthew and Levi House and great-niece, Naomi House.

The family expresses sincere appreciation to Cornerstone Caregivers and Hospice Home Care for helping us meet Arthur's needs and to the multitude of friends who have supported us in these last weeks and months.

Visitation will take place at College Church of Christ in Searcy, AR on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 1:00 PM, with service to follow at 2:30 PM. A private burial service will be held at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Arthur Shearin Restricted Fund at Harding Advancement (915 E. Market, Box 12238, Searcy, AR 72149, attn. Kim Toye, 501-279-4210) or @ Harding.edu/give.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Daniel Funeral Home
411 East Race Avenue
Searcy, AR  72145
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com