Florence Elizabeth Shults

Florence Elizabeth Sketoe Shults, 94, a resident of Hot Springs and formerly of Pine Bluff, died Wednesday, November 16, 2011, at St. Joseph Regional Health Center in Hot Springs. Born December 6, 1916, in Forest Hills, Louisiana, she was a daughter of C. E. and Sarah Croom Sketoe. Mrs. Shults was reared and received her early education in Sheridan. She was a 1935 graduate of Sheridan High School. Florence Sketoe married Velbert Shults on October 27, 1940. Mr. Shults preceded her in death on March 27, 1977. Mr. and Mrs. Shults were the owners and operators of Shults Furniture Company at 213 Pine St. and then 310 Walnut St. for 33 years. Mrs. Shults retired in 1979. She was a member of First Immanuel Missionary Baptist Church in Pine Bluff. Mrs. Shults was preceded in death by her parents, her husband; son, Stanley R. Shults, Sr.; daughter, Margaret Nelson; three brothers, Bascom Sketoe, Clayton Sketoe, and Enoch Sketoe; five sisters, Ann Sketoe, Daisy Shutt, Gracie McDermott, Helynn Teague, and Frankie Hellmuth. Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, Kathryn and Rudy Thornton of Hot Springs; son-in-law, John Nelson of Little Rock, nine grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. The visitation will be from 9-10 a.m., Friday, November 18, 2011, at Ralph Robinson & Son Funeral Directors. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in the Chapel of Ralph Robinson & Son with Reverend Robert Cossey officiating. Burial will follow in Black Cemetery.