BENTON — Keith Carroll Shell,

88, of Benton, Ark., passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 27, 2021.

He was born in the Gravel Hill community of Saline County, on March 31, 1932, the son of the late Elmer and Iva (Crawford) Shell.

Keith was a U.S. Army veteran and fought on the front lines during the Korean War. He served the Benton community as a barber for 45 years and cared so much about his clients & friends that he often traveled to hospitals, nursing homes, and customers’ homes to give haircuts. Keith cherished the times spent with family and especially enjoyed time with his grandchildren. He was very proud of the many accomplishments of his children and grandchildren. He was an avid fisherman and spent many hours in a canoe on the Saline River with his lifelong friends.

Keith was a longtime member of Kentucky Missionary Baptist Church and was preceded in death by one sister, Jonnie (Shell) Sheppard, and two brothers, J.T. Shell and Dale Shell.

In addition to his loving wife of 63 years, Peggy (Lovell) Shell; Keith is survived by one son, Dr. Lendall Shell and his wife, Laurie; one daughter, Karmen Jamison and her husband, Eugene; and four grandchildren, Ryan Shell and wife, Jordan, Alex Shell, Luke Jamison and his wife, Samantha, and Jenna Jamison.

Visitation will be 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, March 2nd at Ashby Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Wednesday, March 3 at Ashby Funeral Home with burial at Gravel Hill Cemetery. Bro. Clarence Shell, Jr. and Bro. Donny Haynes will be officiating.

Memorials may be made to Kentucky Missionary Baptist Church, 7070 Hwy Five in Benton, Ark., 72019.

On-line guest book at www.ashbyfuneralhome.com.