Elizabeth Shaneyfelt-Akin

Elizabeth Shaneyfelt-Akin, 83, longtime Manila resident, went to meet Jesus on Mother's Day, May 8, 2016, as she passed from this life at the NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jonesboro. Born Feb. 1, 1933, in Memphis, Tenn., she was the daughter of the late A.T. and Sarah Minnie Holbert Bell and was raised in Lepanto. A 1950 graduate of Lepanto High School, Liz had been a Manila resident since 1959. She graduated from the Arkansas State University School of Nursing in 1973, and later received a Masters degree and her Advanced Practice Registered Nursing degree. She worked alongside her late husband, Dr. E.A. Shaneyfelt for many years and was the former Director of Nursing at the Manila Nursing Center. She served in private practice at the Shaneyfelt Clinic from 2006 until her retirement in 2014.

A staple of the community, Liz served as both pianist and organist at the First United Methodist Church in Manila where she was a longtime member. She was also active as a Sunday school teacher, was the former director of the Manila Girl Scouts, coached girls basketball, and was a Red Cross swimming instructor. Liz was a former member of the Manila Business and Professional Women's Club and had more recently served on numerous committees at the Manila Senior Citizen Center. In retirement, she was a dedicated volunteer, working as a veteran's advocate at the Veterans Administration Center in Jonesboro.

In addition to her parents and first husband, she was preceded in death by two grandsons and two great-granddaughters.

She is survived by her husband, Jack Akin of McAlister, N.M. From this union she leaves three new children, Brandt Akin, Phillip Akin and Janina Akin.

Liz leaves her children, one son and daughter-in-law, Gene and Katie Shaneyfelt of Pinckneyville, Ill.; four daughters, Paula Spencer and husband Richard of Manor, Texas, Geneabeth "Bug" Shaneyfelt of Manila, Cynthia Belle of Fairbanks, Alaska, and Shing Hall and husband, David of Cave City; 11 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; one sister, Alicia Hodges of Atlanta; one brother, A.T. Bell, Jr. of North Little Rock.

Memorial service will be 6 p.m. Friday May 13, at the First United Methodist Church in Manila with Rev. Jerry Pentecost and Rev. Jonathan Spencer officiating. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 5:00 until service time at the church.

Services are under the direction of Howard Funeral and Cremation Service of Manila.

Friends may sign the online guest register at www.howardfuneralservice.com.