Shirley Overman

Shirley Overman of Blytheville went home to be with the Lord on Monday, Dec. 8, 2014, at her earthly home.

Shirley Hopper Overman was born on April 16, 1935, in Arbyrd, Missouri. She was the daughter of William and Vera Petty Hopper. She and her husband, Kenneth Overman, moved to Blytheville in 1958, and she was actively involved in service to family, church, friends, her profession and her community.

Shirley was a member and elder of the First Presbyterian Church, and a graduate of Mississippi County Community College. She was a charter member of the Beta Sigma Phi and the National Honor Society at the college.

She was licensed in real estate in 1979 and had been an agent with Dick White and Associates and Goff Real Estate. Serving the Blytheville Board of Realtors as president for the years 1984, 1996 and 2005, she was selected as Realtor of the Year in 1995. She also served as Arkansas State Chairman of the Make America Better Committee in 1985 and state Equal Opportunity Chairman in 1996. Shirley was awarded the Million Dollar Award four times for real estate sales and listings.

Shirley was not only a professional lady, but also one with a heart for others. She served as American Red Cross chairman of candy stripers at Mississippi County Hospital and was a Red Cross volunteer at the hospital. In the years 1988 and 1990, she was a member of the United Way Board of Directors, served on the Board of Directors of Blytheville/Gosnell Area Chamber of Commerce and was a graduate of Blytheville Leadership Institute. She served on the Main Street Blytheville Board of Directors and for many years was on the Springtime on the Mall committee. Serving on the Delta Regional Authority Committee and the Delta Gateway Grass Roots Committee, she was involved in several trips with the group visiting leaders in Washington. These are only highlights of the service life of this busy lady.

One of her favorite activities was that of serving the citizens of Blytheville for 12 years as a devoted member of the Blytheville City Council, but her greatest joy was cooking and having Sunday night family dinners. She was lovingly known by her family and their friends and will be deeply missed, but have wonderful memories of "Big Mom."

In addition to her parents, her husband of 61 years, Kenneth Overman; and two brothers, Billy and Bobby Hopper, preceded her in death.

Survivors include a son, Randy Mark Overman of Blytheville;

Two daughters, Donna Shirleen Peden and her husband Greg of Rutherford, North Carolina, and Toni Burwell and her husband Lee of Clinton, Tennessee;

Her grandchildren, Christie Gibson and her husband Tom of Destin, Florida, Kristopher Overman and wife Danielle of Twenty Nine Palms, California, Johnathan Bailey of Naples, Florida, Lauren Overman of Memphis and Hannah Burwell of Clinton, Tennessee; and

Her great-grandchildren, Bailey and Garrett Gibson, Morgan and Brenden Bailey and Dylan and Kenneth Overman.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Mike Wey and Mr. Randy Jumper officiating. Burial will follow in Elmwood Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at the church.

The family requests memorials be made to First Presbyterian Church, the Blytheville Prayer Garden, the Mississippi County Humane Society or a charity of choice. Condolences may be expressed at www.cobbfuneralhome.com.