Vergie Velda Shemwell

Vergie Velda Shemwell, 104, of Bentonville, Ark., passed away Aug. 20, 2013, at Circle of Life Legacy Village. Vergie was born Feb. 2, 1909, (Groundhog Day) to William Dellon and Lena Farmer on a small farm in Graves County, Ky. Vergie was schooled in a one-room schoolhouse with one teacher through sixth grade, but she worked crossword puzzles and has read the Bible through several times. Vergie was an excellent seamstress making tailored ladies' suits. In 1929, she married Thomas Alben Shemwell, son of Thomas Alomso and Hattie Louise Shemwell, also of Graves County, Ky. Vergie and Thomas had two children, Linda P. and Thomas Glenn. Vergie was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Thomas; three brothers, Girvus, Solon and Jeffery; two sisters, Vira and Ondee; one grandson, Randall; and one great-granddaughter, Christina. Vergie is survived by her son, Thomas G. Shemwell and wife, Dorothy, of Bentonville, and her daughter, Linda Pennington of Phoenix, Ariz.; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren. Vergie had five living generations present at her last four birthdays. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 22, 2013, at First United Methodist Church in Bentonville, with the Rev. Rex Dickey officiating. Graveside Services will be at Woodlawn Memorial gardens in Paducah, Ky. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the at First United Methodist Church, Benevolent Fund, 201 N.W. 2nd St., Bentonville, AR 72712; or to Circle of Life Legacy Village, 900 N.E. Verdant, Bentonville, AR 72712. Arrangements have been entrusted to Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services of Rogers. Online condolences may be made at stockdalefuneral.com.