With a spirit defined by grace, quiet strength, and unshakable devotion to family, Sandra (Sandy) Gayle Shelnutt lived a life anchored in faith and love. To know her was to experience her sparkling smile — the kind that lit up a room and will live on in our hearts forever.

Born an only child to Dixie Ophelia and Harry Lee Bethard, Sandy grew up with a quiet determination and deep longing for connection. Her prayers were answered at the age of twelve, when she met the love of her life, Alfred Shelnutt, at a birthday party. From that moment, their story began — one marked by laughter, loyalty, and a love that ran deep and true.

They spent their early years attending gospel concerts together, drawing inspiration from songs like "Beyond the Sunset" and "The Old Farmer," whose messages of faith and endurance became guiding lights in their marriage. In August of 1958, they were married in a small church, beginning a love story that would endure for a lifetime and quietly shape what love and devotion would look like for generations to come.

Together, Sandy and Alfred raised three daughters — Darla, Karen, and Kristi — their greatest joy and proudest accomplishment. She poured her heart into motherhood, shaping her girls into strong, kind, and faithful women. Her love was unbridled and wholehearted — she gave it freely, without reservation, and it became the steady heartbeat of her family. Family was her purpose, her ministry, and her masterpiece.

Some of their happiest memories were made on family trips. Summers led them to the beach or more often, Branson, Missouri, where they rode the log flumes at Silver Dollar City and savored warm kettle corn between laughs. Winters brought them to Colorado where Sandy loved skiing the Homestead Trail — the narrow, winding path where she felt both safe and free, a balance she carried into every part of her life. She moved through the world with a quiet consciousness, always aware of the beauty in small moments and the comfort of feeling secure — gifts she worked to give those she loved.

Life brought its share of mountains and valleys, but she met each challenge with grace, teaching her girls that no matter how deep the valley, there was always another mountain ahead.

She was, inside and out, a natural beauty. More than anything, she believed in creating a sense of safety — not just of place, but of heart — and made it her life's work to ensure everyone around her felt protected and loved. Home was her haven, a safe and loving refuge on White Street. There you'd find her on the sunlit swing by the window, a stack of newspapers at her side, ready with her familiar greeting: "Well hey, Sweetheart."

Summers were spent out back, the sound of splashing and laughter drifting through the yard as her children — and later, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren — played in the pool. Between diving board routines and spirited games of Marco Polo, she'd appear with plates of pigs in a blanket and flavored ice pops, teaching songs to learn the books of the Bible that carried joy and faith through the generations. At nightfall, laughter lingered in the air, followed by water hose baths under the stars — the perfect ending to days filled with warmth, faith, and love.

In her kitchen, she made family dinners every night often accompanied by exquisitely decorated cakes – which she also made for the community through the years. She later taught her grandchildren to stamp out biscuits and teacakes on the island and savor the simple things, although she never met a kitchen appliance she didn't love. The kitchen doubled as her office where she could be found at the round table writing checks and balancing the books for the family business, Accent Iron — a legacy seen across the town of Benton and beyond.

She had a knack for turning ordinary moments into cherished memories — morning coffee no matter the hour with Alfred, shopping trips with her daughters and granddaughters, even venturing to Europe to chaperone a high school trip, and summer nights at the snow cone stand. She loved her cats dearly and doted on their dogs, who ruled the house and always got their pick of the fried chicken.

In their later years, their love of the mountains drew them back. They bought a home in South Fork, Colorado, and filled it with furnishings from Sandy's mother, Dixie — pieces that made the cabin feel both familiar and new. They loved traveling through the pass to Pagosa Springs for Mexican food by the water, or over to Del Norte for pizza. But their favorite tradition was packing a picnic to enjoy beside the Rio Grande River, sharing stories and a glass of wine as the gentle current drifted passed. Each Christmas, they often gathered the family there, watching their children and grandchildren ski Wolf Creek while Sandy and Alfred watched from the lodge at the base of the mountain, warm mugs of hot buttered rum in hand.

She and Alfred lived their faith openly — through gospel music, acts of service, and cheering under Friday night lights at Panther Stadium as their daughters danced and cheered, and later, their grandsons played football. On nights they didn't attend the football games, Sandy could be found on the front porch swing, listening to the playby-play drift through the evening air while her girls chased lightning bugs in the yard — a simple joy later carried on by her grandchildren with the same delight. Her advice, given simply and sincerely, remains a compass for all of us: teach your children about Christ and be part of their activities.

Sandy — "Memaw" to many — showed us all what it means to be devoted, to love deeply, and to find joy even in hardship. Her rich consciousness and unbridled love made everyone around her feel seen and safe — gifts that will ripple through generations. She created a life that felt safe, warm, and full of beauty — a true reflection of her heart.

She loved butterflies — their transformation reflecting her own faith in renewal — and later in life had them tattooed on her feet in vivid color. They were, as she was, beautiful symbols of endurance, light, and grace.

Though we will miss her radiant smile and tender spirit, her love continues in every life she touched, in every family tradition she began, and in every whispered reminder that "this too shall pass."

And as one of her favorite gospel songs reminds us:

"We've known so much of happiness, and we've had our cup of joy,

but memory is the one gift of God that death cannot destroy."

Sandy is survived by her cherished daughters Darla English of Dallas; Karen (Ted) Culliton of Virginia; and Kristi (Jeff) Presnall of Benton — all of whom she loved dearly. She is also survived by her granddaughters Tyler (Lance) Westbrook of Benton; Chevis (John) Douville of Dallas; and Kara McGhee of Benton, soon to be Kara (Austin) Teal; and by her grandsons Chuck (Emily) Bowman of San Antonio; Chase (Laura) Shelnutt of Bentonville; Daniel (Amye) Shelnutt of Jonesboro; Dylan Shelnutt of Fayetteville; and Casen McGhee of Benton.

Sandra treasured her twelve great-grandchildren: Stellan, Sloane, Charlie, Emery, Silas, Skylar, Ridge, Solomon, Jaydon, Cannon, Jameson, and Maesyn.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Elite Hospice for their compassionate, kind, and gentle care, especially from her nurse, Christi, whose warmth and devotion brought comfort to Sandy and her family in her final days. Deep appreciation is also extended to the caring women of Pleasant Hill Care Homes, who treated her with such dignity and love.

A private graveside service will be held for family at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Humane Society for Animals, Inc. — a fitting tribute for a woman who could never turn away a hungry stray and faithfully fed every cat that made its way to her door.