of Conway, AR
August 28, 1936 - October 15, 2021
Shelby Gene Sawrie, 85, of Conway, Arkansas shed his earthly robe for his heavenly one on Friday, October 15th. He was born in Greenbrier, Arkansas to the late Lewis and Mary (Kirkpatrick) Sawrie. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty (Bowie) Sawrie, and two brothers, James Sawrie and Sidney Sawrie.
Shelby was a member of the Greenbrier Nazarene Church and a life-long member of the Faulkner County Singing Club, where he served in various officer positions, including president. He also sang in the Sawrie Family Quartet for over 30 years. He graduated from Greenbrier High School in 1955, and remained close friends with his classmates. He also served in the Army and was very proud to have served his country. Shelby worked for nearly 40 years as a security guard at Kimberly Clark and Newcor. He always had a positive attitude and his smile was contagious.
Left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Shellie O'Quinn, son-in-law, Devo O'Quinn, numerous nieces and nephews that he loved dearly, a host of ''grandkids'' from around the world who called him ''Grandpa'' as well as many friends that he considered family. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to his doctors, nurses, therapists and caregivers who treated him with such great care and respect.
A graveside service will be held at Thorn Cemetery in Greenbrier on Monday, October 18th at 11:00 am, with Bro. Ron Byrd officiating. Shelby's classmate and friend, Jerry Carter, will present the obituary. Pallbearers will be Elyahb ''Allie'' Kwizera, Robert Habimana, Edouard Niyonsaba, Praven Moorthy, Jean Paul Ngabonziza, and Romeo Botanpi. Honorary pallbearers will be Habib Njie, Sheikh Faal, and Gerard Bambi.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his honor to Thorn Cemetery at PO Box 663 Greenbrier, AR 72058 or Faulkner County Senior Citizens Endowment using the link on the side.
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37 Condolence(s)
Phil Isom
Sunday, October 24, 2021
I am so blessed to know you and your family and hear some of your stories.
Randy & Janet Nokes
Tuesday, October 19, 2021
Shellie,
So Sorry to Hear of the Loss of Your Dad, Always had the Utmost Respect for Him and Your Mother, Truly two of the Most Special People I have ever Known. Please Know your Family will be in our Prayers.
Hal, Jr. and Deb Garrett
Tuesday, October 19, 2021
Shelley and Bo,
Please know we are lifting you in prayer hearing of the passing of your father!
His journey in this life has now passed and his place in Heaven has started!
I know as well as you and Bo that for sure Heaven is getting sweeter all the time!
I love you both and share treasured memories with Bo through out his and Bonita's lives!
We are here for yall!! â¤
Hal and Deb
Reid Family Singers
Tuesday, October 19, 2021
So very sad to hear of Mr. Shelby's passing. Know that Mrs. Betty & a lot of singers & loved ones met him & are rejoicing with him in Heaven. We will sure miss him down here at our singings. Sending our prayers for God's comfort & our love to Shellie, Devo, & all of his grieving friends. ðŸ™ðŸ›ðŸ“–âœï¸ðŸŽ¼ðŸŽ¶ðŸŽ¹ðŸŒ¹
Jerry Williams
Tuesday, October 19, 2021
Shelby was a kind & generous man. A long-time friend. He will be missed by many!
Ann Harrod
Monday, October 18, 2021
Shellie, I am so sorry for your loss. I am praying for you and your family. â¤ï¸
Deena Hartsfield
Monday, October 18, 2021
Shellie,
I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m thinking of you & praying for the peace of God to surround you.
DEENA
Jim Atkinson
Monday, October 18, 2021
I am sorry for your loss. Shelby was a man who truly lived Jesus! I will keep you all in my prayers.
Blessings!
Jim & Linda Atkinson
Gary and Debbie Hogan
Monday, October 18, 2021
Our sympathy and prayers are with the Sawrie family and friends. Shelby will be missed. So proud to be his and Betty’s friends. Love always.
Rob Fox
Monday, October 18, 2021
Rob says, " My sincere condolences to you, Shellie, and all your family. He has been the most kind and endearing man ever. We will miss him."
BJ says, Rest assured you and your family are in our prayers. We loved you Dad too. Rob says, "The best!"
Maureen Depsky
Monday, October 18, 2021
Sending my condolences to Shelby’s family. He was a gentleman and always had a smile and a kind word of greeting For everyone. RIP Shelby.
Maureen Depsky
Monday, October 18, 2021
Sending my condolences to Shelby’s family. He was a gentleman and always had a smile and a kind word of greeting For everyone. RIP Shelby.
Susan Bollman
Sunday, October 17, 2021
I knew Shelby from singing conventions. He was a sweetheart with a big smile. He loved to have fun and pick on you. He was like a teddy bear that you just wanted to hug. I'm glad I had the privilege to know him. I'll miss seeing my cute buddy, but one day soon I'll see him again.
Brenda Fry
Sunday, October 17, 2021
Dear Shelley, I sure enjoyed the time I worked with Shelby Lue (my nickname for him) at Kimberly Clark. He was a very sweet man, always positive and pleasant. I know his passing has left a big void in your life. May your faith and sweet memories sustain you during this most difficult of times. Prayers of comfort.
Harlie Patterson
Sunday, October 17, 2021
Loved sitting beside my "singing buddy" on Wednesdays at the Senior Center. A good godly man. Love and prayers to family and friends who miss him.
Bryan & Sandy Jones
Sunday, October 17, 2021
What a joy to be friends with Shelby and Betty. Their friendship ( and all the Sawrie family) has been a rich blessing. Shellie and Devo, you have our love and prayers.
Martha Smithee
Sunday, October 17, 2021
Shellie, so very sorry to hear about Shelby. You know that he and Betty have been great friends to me since the 1980’s. They were both very special people to me, and great parents to you, just as you were a great daughter to them. And the same goes for Devo. I know that y’all will miss him terribly. Prayers for you both. Love you, Martha Smithee
RUBY B VICTORY
Sunday, October 17, 2021
Shelby was a sweet man and a joy to work with.RIP Shelby
Randy Wilcox
Sunday, October 17, 2021
One of the few people who would brighten your day every time you saw him ! Luckily we got to see him often ! He will be missed by many that are left here while he enters his joyful eternity ðŸ™
Rhonda dixon
Sunday, October 17, 2021
Shelly and Devo, I am so sorry. Your family is and will always be very special to me!! Prayers for peace and comfort. Love you!
Debra Robinson
Sunday, October 17, 2021
Shellie,
My heartfelt sympathy to you and your family. Such a special family. Mr Shelby was Very special to the McKaskle familyðŸ™ðŸ»â¤ï¸ðŸ™ðŸ»ðŸŒº
Joey and Amber Wallace
Sunday, October 17, 2021
Shellie, I am so sorry about your dad. He was a sweet person and I’m so glad you got to have the last few years with him and he will certainly be missed. Prayers for you in the coming days.
Glendon Graham
Sunday, October 17, 2021
Loved Shelby Sawrie always had a smile for everyone, he will be missed!
Jordan swain moore
Sunday, October 17, 2021
Mr. Shelby was such a sweet man. Praying for you and your family. Love you!!!
Boon & Debbie Nim
Sunday, October 17, 2021
We loved Shelby very much. His unconditional love to the youngsters from around the world truly made him a grandpa of many. His smiles and laughs just like the amiable grandpa in the movie. May the warmth of care and love of the people around ease the pain of the loss. Our heartiest condolence to Shellie and Devo.
bill zellner
Sunday, October 17, 2021
Shellie your Dad was one I always pleased to greet , He had a warm way about him that made you fell at ease while visiting he will be missed.
Misuk and Scott Bryden
Sunday, October 17, 2021
We will miss Shelby and his wonderful smile and kindness! God bless and comfort Shellie and all of the family!
Reita Johnson
Sunday, October 17, 2021
Shellie, so sorry to hear about Shelby. He will be missed. Love and prayers to you, Reita
Tim Widener
Sunday, October 17, 2021
Shelby was a good man and will be missed, thoughts and prayers to his family.
Jerry Carter
Sunday, October 17, 2021
Shelby was a good and Godly man. A good friend for for manny manny years. I will miss him and our times together. I will see him again up there in our real Home.
Jim and Charlsie
Sunday, October 17, 2021
We are so very sorry to learn of Shelby Gene’s passing. We know he is singing with his family and all the angels.with our prayers and deepest sympathy. Love to all.
Jerry and Janis Robbins
Saturday, October 16, 2021
Heavens gates have swung open wide to your new home, You have gained Angel wings, flying high, Betty and your families were waiting to greet you! What a wonderful reunion! Singing with all the Heavenly Choirs! You will lovingly be missed, we will all be reunited some day. Praying for all your loved ones here. Jerry and I loved you.
Rick and KathyWatson
Saturday, October 16, 2021
Your dad always had a smile and a genuine laugh.
Fred and Dorothy Morlan
Saturday, October 16, 2021
We loved Shelby so much. He was a great man and friend. Will always treasure his friendship. Prayers to Shellie and Devo and all his other family. Love and prayers Dorothy and Fred Morlan
Sandra Bickerton
Saturday, October 16, 2021
Shelby spread sunshine everywhere he went. Such an awesome person. Shelby will be missed by all who knew him, but he leaves us with loving memories that will be with us always. Shelly you and Devo are in our thoughts and prayers. We love you both very much.
marvin Harrington
Saturday, October 16, 2021
so sorry for your loss Shellie and Devo, shelby was a great friend and cousin . He will be missed. but he is rejoicing in Heaven now.
Sylvia and Kenneth Childers
Saturday, October 16, 2021
Dearest Shellie, you are in our prayers and thoughts. Uncle Shelby was a one of a kind wonderful Uncle!! We loved him dearly and he will be missed on this earth, but we will see him again in heaven!!