Gloria Anne Shannon

Gloria Anne Shannon, 75, of Fort Smith, Ark., passed away Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Fort Smith. She was born Dec. 14, 1942, in Okmulgee, Okla., to C. Gene Barton and Charlicey M. Dawson Barton.

She was a member of Grand Avenue Baptist Church where she taught 8th-grade Sunday school for many years along with being a member of the church choir. She sat on the church building committee for the development of the Education Building. She was a member and past president of Sparks Guild and past board member for the Western Arkansas Ballet. She was an avid tennis player, playing with friends in both Fort Smith and Nashville, Tenn., and winning the Over Fifty Ladies team State Tournament with her Nashville team. She will always be remembered for her loving spirit and commitment to family, friends and community.

She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Luana K. Pershall.

She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Jimmie Shannon; sons, Christopher G. Shannon and Joshua L. Shannon both of Nashville; sister, Faye M. Villines (Richard) of Van Buren, Ark.; brother, C. Gene Barton Jr. (Beverly) of Shreveport, La.; grandchildren, Jayne E. Shannon and Wesley E. Shannon both of Nashville.

Funeral service was 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 5, 2018, at Grand Avenue Baptist Church. Graveside service was at Bethesda Cemetery in Lincoln, Ark.

Pallbearers were Cleve McDonald, Jim Ford, Preston Cox, Richard Villines, Hardie Jefferies and Paul Glover. Honorary Pallbearers were the whole Adult 7 Sunday School Class.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to The Multiple System Atrophy Coalition, 9935-D Rea Road, #212, Charlotte, N.C. 28277. For information visit www. multiplesystsematrophy.org

To place online tributes, visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com.

Edwards Funeral Home of Fort Smith was in charge of arrangements.

Shannon