GARDNER, Kan. — Shirley Gwendolyn (Bell) Munnerlyn,
88, left this world for the embrace of her heavenly father on December 13, 2023. She transitioned peacefully in her sleep in the home of her daughter in Gardner, Kansas.
Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Alvin John (A.J.) Munnerlyn; her parents, Elmer Minto Bell and Lorene Pearl Honea Bell of Blevins, Ark.; and her brother Wayne Allen Bell of Blevins, Ark.
She is survived by her children, John Allen Munnerlyn, Linda Ann Munnerlyn Townsend (Keith), David Michael Munnerlyn (Pamela), and Larry Edward Romack (Lyndra). She was the grandmother of 13, and great-grandmother of 10. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Mary Ann Munnerlyn Ruff (Dane).
Over the years, Shirley served God in many ways. At Berea Baptist Church, she was a Sunday School teacher, church secretary, children’s church teacher, and volunteered for the bus ministry. Shirley also served as the director of the Food Pantry for many years. In later years she moved to Gardner, Kansas and became a member of Grace Baptist Church. There she participated in ministry through volunteer work at the Joy Closet and Hope Market which provide food and necessities to those in need. She worked with the back snack program feeding under-privileged children, along with knitting winter hats for the homeless.
Though Shirley enjoyed serving in various ministries throughout her lifetime, she is now enjoying eternity in heaven not because of these good works, but because Jesus Christ died in her place to pay the price for her sins.
The visitation was held on Wednesday, December 20, 2023 from 6-8 p.m., at Griffin Leggett Rest Hills Funeral Home on Landers Road in North Little Rock, Ark. Services will be held at Berea Baptist Church on 104 East Valentine Road in Jacksonville, Ark., on Thursday, December 21, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be at Arkansas Memorial Gardens followed by a lunch reception at Berea Baptist Church. Pallbearers are Jerod Townsend, Matthew Romack, Christopher Romack, Michael Romack, and Paul Dane Ruff.