Alice Ruth Shofner

Alice Ruth Shofner, 92, of Fayetteville, Ark., passed away Sunday, April 18, 2021. She was born in Newport, Ark., on October 24, 1928, to Robert and Bertha Elizabeth "Lizzie" (Bullard) Gilliaum. Alice Ruth was a 1946 graduate of Newport High School and a 1951 graduate of the University of Arkansas. During her time at the U of A, on a blind date she met fellow student, Keith Shofner, a young Navy veteran and they were married August 21, 1949. In the fall of 1951, Alice Ruth started her long career in education, accepting a teaching position at Elkins High School. A few years later she took a position teaching Home Economics at Hillcrest Junior High in Fayetteville. After a short hiatus to stay home with her small children, Alice Ruth was recruited in 1963 by Elkins superintendent Jim Carter to teach second grade for one semester. That temporary arrangement lasted 44 years, until her retirement in 2007 at the age of 78. Alice Ruth was a devoted educator and known for maintaining strict discipline in her classroom. Throughout her long career she taught hundreds of children and in some cases, multiple generations of Elkins families. Alice Ruth was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ, having worshipped for many years with the North Street and Baldwin congregations in Fayetteville. She was a strong supporter of 4-H, having been heavily involved in 4-H activities in her youth, even spending five months abroad in 1948 in France and England through 4-H Youth Farm Exchange program. She was also the youngest person ever to receive the Governor's Arkansas Travelers Award and she was the 1948 National 4-H Record Book winner. She and Keith were actively involved in promoting agriculture and were active in the American Angus Association and youth livestock showing. She enjoyed watching her grandchildren's sporting and livestock showing events. She loved rooting for the Razorbacks, drinking her Diet Coke and getting her hair done at her twice weekly hair appointments. Alice Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Keith; her parents; five sisters – Gladys, Ruby, Audrey, Alma, and Eunice; and two brothers – Paul and Dale. She is survived by her three children, Bill (Mary) Shofner of Elkins, Bob (Janice) Shofner of Bentonville, and Renee Turner of Fayetteville; seven grandchildren, Trey (Tennille) Shofner of Goshen, Tara (Jacob) Hudson of Goshen, Travis (Becky) Shofner of Elkins, Robby (Lana) Shofner of Kingston, Janee (Quinten) Parker of Bentonville, Gilliam Turner of Passau, Germany, and Greydon Turner of Russellville; and 12 great-grandchildren, Lakyn, London, Will, Canaan, Hayden, Harper, Jett, Sadie, Millie, Ryker, Corbin, and Keston. In honor of Alice Ruth's many summers spent delivering books to students through the summer reading program, her love of the 4-H program, and her devotion to her church, memorials can be sent to the Elkins Elementary library fund at 380 N. Center St. Elkins, Ark. 72727, the Arkansas 4-H Foundation at #1 Four-H Way, Little Rock, Ark. 72223, or Gospel Tracts International at 2125 N. Center Street, Fayetteville, Ark. 72701. The family will celebrate her life at a private family graveside service. There is no scheduled visitation. Condolences at www.beardsfuneralchapel.com