Obituaries

Shelby Jean Shuffield McWha Langham

Shelby Jean Shuffield McWha Langham, age 79, passed away November 15, 2019, at Willard Walker Hospice House in Fayetteville. Born July 8, 1940, Shelby grew up in Bismarck, Arkansas, the daughter of Harvey and Cordelia Shuffield. She is preceded in death by her parents; siblings C.O. Shuffield, H.L. "Sonny" Shuffield, and Gennievee Jackson, and her first husband, Bennie McWha. Shelby married Bennie McWha on November 2, 1957, at Oaklawn Baptist Church in Hot Springs, Arkansas. After graduating from Bismarck High School, she took seminary classes while assisting Bennie with his ministry. Together they had three children, and Shelby worked in the home caring for their family. They served together in ministry in Japan and Russia, and in Indiana, Texas, Michigan, and Arkansas. Over forty-seven years of marriage, their family grew to include nineteen grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Bennie and Shelby were members of Fellowship Bible Church in Springdale and enjoyed spending time with family and working until Bennie's passing in 2005. Twice blessed, Shelby's second marriage took place on October 10, 2010, when she married Claude Langham of Fayetteville. Shelby gained a family by her marriage, adding Claude's children and their families to her own. During their nine years together, they enjoyed traveling and working on various projects. Claude and Shelby attended Fellowship Bible Church faithfully, and Shelby enjoyed being active in Bible Study Fellowship until prevented by her declining health. Shelby leaves behind a beloved brother and sister, Paul Shuffield and Joie Stephens; her children, Ernie McWha and wife Debra, Carrie Bennett and husband Ken, and Diane Burns and husband Jimmy; Claude's children, Ron Langham and wife Debbie, Linda Rogers, and Douglas Langham; five additional grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. A visitation will be held from 4-6 p.m. on Monday, November 18, 2019, at Nelson-Berna Funeral Home in Fayetteville. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, November 19, 2019, at Fellowship Bible Church at 2000 W. Emma Ave, Springdale, Ark., 72762. A private family burial will be held at Fairview Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to BSF International at (bsfinternational.org). To place an online tribute, visit www.nelsonberna.com.

Published November 17, 2019

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