Shirley Laverne Sandlin

Shirley Laverne Sandlin, 82, of Bentonville, Arkansas passed away on December 9, 2024. She was born on November 27, 1942 in Huntington, Arkansas to the late Bishop Elmore Jr. and Lilly “Irene” (Brown).

After high school in Huntington, she ventured to San Diego, California to find her future while living with her grandparents. Part of that future entailed going on a blind date with another Arkansan who happened to be stationed with the US Navy in San Diego. That date turned into a marriage with Jack Sandlin that lasted 62 + years and brought her back to Arkansas where they raised four children and helped raise four grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

In addition to being a mom, Shirley worked many jobs which included working at Parnell Construction, Little and Lawrence McCollum and Mixon Law Firm until finally settling into the work that she would do for most of the next 30+ years: The Benton County Assessor’s Office. While there, she became the first female field agent (which many doubted she could do) and then eventually ran for the head job and became the Benton County Assessor for the next 26 years before retiring. But she decided she wasn’t done, so ran for the office of Justice of the Peace for her district and held that position for two terms before retiring again.

Shirley was an avid reader (when she had time). She was passionate about her career and more so for her family and did great things for both. She was the matriarch of not just her immediate family, but a caretaker for much of her extended families in both the Elmore and Sandlin clans. It was rare to find a time when she wasn’t doing something for someone in one of the families. She was tenacious in whatever she chose to pursue and it showed in her accomplishments in her lifetime. The world will be less for her passing.

Shirley is preceded in death by: husband Jack, son Allen, parents Bishop and Irene Elmore, brother James Hugh Elmore, and sister Brenda Spink.

She is survived by: a brother Harry Elmore Sr. (Wife Barbara), a sister Lavetta Cope (husband Jerry), a daughter Sherry Treat (husband Shawn), and sons Brian and Greg. She is also survived by four grandchildren: Donovan Shayne Sandlin (wife Heather), Kasia Hall (Josh Johnson), Saber Treat, and Saxon Treat; and three great grandchildren: Neveah and Camden Sandlin, and Lilysetta Johnson as well as many other nieces and nephews, cousins, etc.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 17th at Callison-Lough Funeral Home in Bentonville from 5:00-7:00PM. The funeral will be held the following Wednesday, December 18th at Bentonville Church of Christ at 10:00AM, officiated by Walton Hook. Burial to follow at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Gravette.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the following organization: Jude’s Children's Hospital, or Boy’s Town.