Shirley Joyce Vining, 61, of Jasper, Ark, went home to be with her Lord, May 23, 2020, following a sudden illness from which she could not recover.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, John H. and Janie Rachel (Byrd) Vining; and a sister, Elizabeth Lois (Bass) Vining. She is survived by 5 sisters and 3 brothers – Jeannie (Moore) Vining, 67; Janet, 64, in Nixa, Missouri; Martha Whiting, 63, in North Carolina ; Thomas, 59, in Denver, Colorado; John, 56, also in Denver; Rebecca Vining, 54, in Russellville; Esther, 50, in Nixa, Missouri; and Jason, 48, also in Nixa. She is also survived by 5 nephews, 1 niece, a great-niece and nephew, 4 widowed Aunts and 3 generations of cousins.
Having special needs, Shirley lived her last 31 years in a Jasper apartment with the assistance of Newton County Special Services, and successfully attended class at Angel Works, where she learned under their tender, watchful care. Known by many as the “Jasper Charmer”, she enjoyed her own place of prominence among those she loved, treated everyone as a friend, and was always mindful to share a compliment and laugh with all. Shirley loved the Lord, little babies, to sing karaoke, cornbread and beans, country music and Disney movies.
She left us all with many beautiful memories, as she taught us to live with an open, loving heart. She will be fondly missed!
Funeral service will be 1 p.m., Friday, May 29, 2020 at Coffman Funeral Home in Jasper with Troy Walker officiating. Burial will follow in Jasper Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Kris Collins, Keith Brown, Tucker Olsen, Mark Bielecki, and Lee Strawhacker.
Honorary pallbearers are all her friends at Angel Works.
