of Poplar Grove, AR

September 17, 1938 - May 8, 2024

Shirley Ann Wooten, a beacon of love and faith, left an undeniable mark on her loved ones and community, passing away on May 8, 2024 at the Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Her departure from this world was as peaceful as her life was impactful, surrounded by her devoted husband of 68 years, Albert and their loving daughters, Susan, Carolyn and Paula.

Born on September 17, 1938 to William Jake and Neely Beatrice Walls, Shirley grew up in the nurturing environment of Rondo, alongside her siblings, Jake, Maxine, Irma and Charles. Her early life was filled with the joys of family and community, setting the stage for the incredible woman she would become.

Shirley's academic and personal life blossomed in Rondo, where she not only excelled in her studies, graduating Salutatorian from Rondo High School, but also found her soulmate, Albert Wooten. Their love story began in those school halls, leading to a marriage in 1955 that was a testament to their unbreakable bond. Together, they nurtured a loving family, welcoming three daughters into the world. Shirley's role as a homemaker was complemented by her talents in gardening and her later career as a bank teller with the First National Bank of Eastern Arkansas, where she served the community for two decades before retiring to spend more cherished moments with Albert.

Shirley's life was a testament to her unwavering faith and dedication to serving others in the light of her Christian beliefs. At the heart of the Rondo Baptist Church community, she was a beacon of devotion, teaching Sunday School, guiding children through the joys of Vacation Bible School (VBS) and actively participating in the ladies auxiliary. Her roles were many, but her purpose was singular: to spread the love and teachings of the Lord through service and education.
Her passion for singing was one of her many talents. Shirley's voice, was her guiding light, illuminating every aspect and touching everyone she met. Her involvement in church activities was not just a duty but a joyful expression of her faith.
Shirley's legacy is not just in the programs she led or the songs she sang but in the lives she touched. Her commitment to her faith and her community was evident in how she raised her family, instilling in them the Christian values that she held dear. Her life was her testimony, a living example of faith in action, love in service and devotion in every deed. Shirley's story is a reminder that the most profound impacts are often made not through words, but through the example of a life well-lived in service to others and to God.

Her greatest joy and accomplishment were seen in her roles as a mother, grandmother, great grandmother and even great-great-grandmother, supporting her family unconditionally in every aspect of their lives.

Shirley's legacy, characterized by love, faith and dedication, lives on through her extensive and loving family. She was blessed by 3 children, 6 grand children, 13 great grand children and 1 great-great grand child along with a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends. Shirley Ann Wooten's life was a masterpiece of devotion, leaving behind a legacy of love and faith that will forever shine brightly in the hearts of those who knew her.

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