Brenda Darlene Shoe of O’Kean passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, January 15, 2023, at the age of 67, after a brief battle with cancer. Her family and friends will miss her greatly, but she has gained her heavenly reward.
Darlene is survived and dearly missed by her beloved husband, Ronnie of 50 years; and her children, Benji (Wendy) Shoe of Pocahontas, and Kera Stovall of Lafe; her granddaughters, Bailey Shoe of Paragould, Sable Crafton, and Addie Crafton of Lafe, and Roxy and Maggie Shoe of Pocahontas; a great-granddaughter, Millie Shoe of Paragould; and her fur baby, Jaecie.
She is predeceased by her parents, Albert, and Maxine Heral Lance.
Darlene was born in 1955 in Walnut Ridge. She was a lifelong member of O’Kean Freewill Baptist Church, attending even before birth. She graduated from Delaplaine High School in 1974 and obtained a bachelor’s degree in Business Education and a master’s in Building Level Administration from Arkansas State University. Subsequently, she began teaching in 1995. She enjoyed teaching business education to countless students at Hoxie High School for 28 years. As a teacher, she loved working with the administration, teachers, and staff to give students the best possible education, and many students benefitted from Darlene’s dedication. Darlene was passionate about equipping students for future employment, and she strove to help them succeed by introducing the newest technologies and information. She was an innovative and creative educator, implementing nontraditional seating in the classroom and becoming one of the first to teach students about medical office procedures and administration. She also served as the yearbook advisor and dedicated countless hours to selecting and training students to serve as yearbook staff members.
Darlene was a woman of honesty and integrity. She had very strong values and was a well-liked member of the community. She took an active role in lives of her grandchildren, and she enjoyed watching sports, especially the Hogs. As a woman of faith, Darlene wished to have a celebration of the immortality promised to all by Christ. She would love to be remembered with stories that celebrate what was good and blessed in her life. Her memory will be cherished by her family, close friends, and her school family, who loved her dearly.
Funeral services will be held Friday, January 20, 2023; at 12 P.M. in the O’Kean Free Will Baptist Church in O’Kean, with Aaron Winfrey officiating. Pallbearers are Ronnie Roberts, Larry Forrester, T.J. Marlin, Allen Williams, Steven Benesch, and Greg Lance. Interment will follow in the Sharum Cemetery in Pocahontas.
Visitation will be from 10 A.M. till service time Friday.
