of Marianna, AR

July 18, 1941 - November 25, 2019

Dena Shirley
Dena went to be with the Lord on Monday, November 25, 2019 at 10:38 while in Springhill Baptist Hospital in North Little Rock. She was born in Memphis TN. on July 18, 1941 to Jesse and Lucille Spears, She was 78 years old.
Dena spent her youth in Lee County in Brickeys, Kokomo and Marianna, graduating from Marianna High School in 1959. She was a mighty Porcupine Cheerleader. She attended Arkansas Teachers College in Conway Arkansas where she cheered. She met a football player, Bob Tarrant and they were married. They had three children, Roger Keith, Bobbie Lynn and Larry Joe. She returned home to the Marianna/Helena area in the 1980s and met Charles Shirley, they married in 1984.

Dena taught school in Osceola during the 1970s. She was the proud owner of Denas Dress Store, a small boutique in Osceola. In the Helena/Marianna area, she worked at Helena Courthouse in Helena, Farm Credit Services in Marianna and retired from Roller Funeral Home in Marianna.
Dena grandchildren lovingly referred to her as Ding Ding They enjoyed staying at Dings when they were younger where the days were filled with golfing and swimming and the nights consisted of popcorn, snuggling with a bunny blanket, card games, Heath bar cake and Monopoly. She idolized her children, grandchildren and great-grands. She loved family, friends, holidays, golf and the Razorbacks.
She was active in the Ladies Golf Association at Marianna Country Club, She played bridge, participated in a book club enjoying her friends. In earlier years she enjoyed traveling with her golfing buddies and meeting Arnold Palmer and Frank Boyles. She attended the Epicscopal Church in Marianna.
She had the personality and smile that lit up a room when she entered.

Preceding her in death were son; Roger Keith Tarrant, Her children's father; Robert Tarrant, Father; Jesse Lee Spears, Mother; Lucille Spears, Beloved Brother-in-law; Harry Mac Adams and Beloved sister in law; Red Spears.
Survivors are: Husband, Charles Shirley (Marianna), Daughter: Bobbie Loewer (Larry) of Brinkley, Son: Larry Joe Tarrant (Renee) of Cabot, Brother: Lee Spears (Saudra) of Jonesboro, Donnie Spears of Jonesboro,
Sisters Mary Palmer of Marianna, Janice Harvery (Wesley) of Hot Springs Village, Beverly Adams of West Memphis.
Grandchildren: Tri Mason (Courtney) of Clarendon, Jessie Mason(Kaylynn) of Brinkley, LJ Tarrant (Mandy) of Cabot, Tyler Tarrant (Laci) of Cabot and Laura Loewer of Fayetteville, Great grandchildren,
Great grandchildren are The Masons: Nickol, Bubba, Connor, Peyton and Maddox (Self) Eli , Eme , Ivy , Millie Mayo. The Tarrants: Lilly and Drake. Pallbearers: Tyler Tarrant, LJ Tarrant, Tri Mason, Jessie Maon, Matthew Harvey and Jason Harvey

Services will be held Wednesday, November 27, 2019 at 2:00 P.M. at Roller-Citizens Funeral Home in Marianna, Arkansas. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services. Family and friends may view and sign online guestbook www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/Marianna

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