Cynthia Kay Wise Shell

Cynthia Kay Wise Shell, 57, of Little Rock, died peacefully in her home on Tuesday, May 16th, 2017. Cynthia, the youngest of three children, was born March 25, 1960 in Malvern, Arkansas, to Dr. John Doyle Wise and Anne Robinson Wise. After graduating from Malvern Senior High School, she attended the University of Central Arkansas where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology in 1986, and pursued a Master's Degree in Secondary Education. In 1980, Cynthia married her college sweetheart David Barnes Shell in Conway, Arkansas. Cynthia and David remained united in marriage for 37 years and had two children. Throughout her life, Cynthia was active in her community, volunteering for numerous local charitable organizations and an active member of Temple B'nai Israel. She served as President of Temple B'Nai Israel Sisterhood, taught for many years in the Temple B'Nai Israel Sunday School, was a lifelong member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and also involved in the Regional AIDS Interfaith Network. Cynthia was an avid traveler, writer and yoga enthusiast, practicing her yoga for years at the Yoga Studio of Little Rock. Cynthia leaves behind her beloved husband, David; her daughter, Katherine and her husband, Floyd Benson of Southaven, Mississippi; her son, Matthew Shell of Memphis, Tennessee; her brother, John Wise, Jr and his wife, Ronda of Batesville, Arkansas; her sister, Melody Anne Wise of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; her nephew, Christopher Burns and his wife, Phyllis of Searcy, Arkansas; her nephew, Brandon Burns and his wife, Marie of Gainesville, Florida; her nephew, J.R. Wise and his wife, Amber of Lynchburg, Virginia; and her niece, Carol Wise of Batesville, Arkansas. A private burial for family will be held at Roselawn Memorial Park with a memorial service to follow at 11 a.m. at Temple B'Nai Israel in Little Rock, Arkansas on Monday, May 22nd, 2017. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts be made in Cynthia's name to The Little Rock Animal Village at 4500 Kramer Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72204 or Care For Animals, Inc. at 5516 Kavanaugh Boulevard, Little Rock, Arkansas 72207. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.