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Velta Marie Garrett Shipps was born on June 14, 1940, in the community of Macon in North Little Rock, AR to the late Edmon Garrett and Molly Belle Harrod Garrett. Velta attended North Little Rock High School and shortly after graduation in 1958, she met an Air Force mechanic named James “Jim” Shipps. Jim fell in love with her kind and compassionate heart, and her beautiful smile. On July 1, 1960, Jim and Velta were married. In 2025 they celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.
Velta is survived by her husband, Jim Shipps, and three children, Gina (Eric) Vaught of Springdale, AR; Clay (Karina) Shipps of Lovettsville, VA; and Lynne (Jeff) Penn of Benton, AR; ten grandchildren, Thomas, Megan, Aaron, Jessica, Catharine, Mitchell, Juliana, Leslie, Meredith, and Samuel; seven great-grandchildren, Tyson, Jaxon, Briggs, Ella, Daniel, Bernard, and Olivia (on the way), and a nephew, David (Judy) Shipps of North Little Rock, AR.
Velta was a very hard worker. Her first job was at Veazey’s Drug Store in North Little Rock at the age of 14, and her last job was for Harcros Chemical Co. from which she retired. She would tell you her greatest job of all was raising her children and keeping her home well kept for her family. Velta had many talents and hobbies. She loved to camp with her family, fish (always catching the most fish, while not even trying), making floral arrangements, sewing, painting, and was an excellent cook and baker. She was famous for her pie crust, pecan pie, and banana nut bread.
She was a member of the Dixie Car Club and the Old River Fishing Club, but her greatest accomplishment was bringing up her children in the admonition of the Lord.
Funeral services will be held at North Bryant Baptist Church, 2710 N. Prickett Rd. Bryant, AR 72022 on February 3, 2026.
Visitation will be at 12pm and the funeral services immediately following at 1pm with online streaming at northbryantbaptist.org/livestream. The interment will be at Arkansas Memorial Gardens, 8507 AR-161 North Little Rock AR 72117.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Velta’s name to the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, 449 Jack Stephens Dr. Little Rock, AR 72205, cancer.uams.edu.
Julie worked for many years as a billing manager, a role she approached with dedication and persistence. That same determination defined her personal life, especially after an accident left her disabled. Julie never gave up easily and often proved that she was capable of far more than others expected. She liked to stay busy and travel whenever possible and took pride in staying active in her own way.
Her faith was an important part of who she was. Julie loved the Lord and was a faithful member of New Beginnings Church, where she found comfort, strength, and community. She enjoyed photography and had a special gift for capturing meaningful moments. Scrapbooking and reading were also favorite pastimes, allowing her to preserve memories and express her creativity. Though she lived with diabetes, Julie still found happiness in small indulgences—especially sneaking a peanut butter cup when no one was looking—which often brought a smile to her face on difficult days.
Julie’s greatest joy in life was her family, especially her daughters, whom she loved beyond measure. She is survived by her devoted husband of 31 years, Andrew German, and their three daughters: Eden Grace Cross and her husband Preston, Krista Joy German, and Alyssa Noelle German. She is also survived by her parents, Glen and Joy (Baldwin) Ward; her sisters, Janet Ward and Trina Ward; and her beloved nephews, Caleb Richmond, Colton Ward, Dalton Dunlap, and Preston Dunlap. Julie is also lovingly remembered by her mother-in-law, Judy Mason, and her sister-in-law, Julie Dunlap, and her husband David. She will be deeply missed by the many family members and friends who loved her.
Julie was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Thurman and Pat Ward, and her maternal grandparents, Delmer Baldwin and Minnie Smith.
As we remember Julie, we celebrate a life marked by courage, faith, and deep love for others. Her memory will live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know her.
Visitation will be held on February 5, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Smith Family Funeral Home in Benton, Arkansas. Funeral services will take place on February 6, 2026, at 12:30 PM, also at Smith Family Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Forest Hills Memorial Park in Bryant, Arkansas, at 2:30 PM.
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Billy Fred Shemwell, 75, of Bryant, Arkansas, passed away on January 24, 2026. He was born to Fred and Adelle Shemwell on August 12, 1950, in Little Rock, Arkansas.
He was a man of faith, family, and quiet strength. He attended Heritage Baptist Temple in Little Rock, Arkansas, where his faith was an important part of his life. He was educated at Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri, and graduated from McClellan High School in Magee, Arkansas.
He was preceded in death by his father, Fred Shemwell.
He is survived by his daughter, Karen; his grandson, Brady; his mother, Adelle Shemwell; his brother, Rick Shemwell (Sharon); and his sister, Robin Railsback (Billy D.).
He is also survived by extended family members including Cody Railsback, Ben Ward, Rebecca Brown, Rachael Irving, Ruth Wise, and Amy Ward, along with a host of loved ones who will cherish his memory.
Funeral services will be officiated by Rev. David Winston and held at Dial & Dudley Funeral Home on February 2, 2026, at 12:00 p.m., with visitation beginning at 11:00 a.m. Graveside service will be Friday, February 6, 2026 at 10:00 A.M at Forest Hills Memorial Park.
Pallbearers will be Daryl Prindle, Jack Fleming, Nick Neely, Mark Brown, Mike Andrews, and Ed Roberson.
Honorary pallbearer is Billy Railsback.
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