Our Honorees Exemplify the Proverbs 31 Woman.
They are full of faith and honor their husbands in marriage. They are honorable homemakers as well as mothers to those outside their homes. They exude health and inner beauty. These women are full of industry as they serve their communities with their time and finances.
Shirley Gunnell-Jones
Shirley Ann Gunnell-Jones was born in Keaton Township October 13, 1934. After graduating from Immanuel School in 1952, she managed her Uncle Gronee Gunnell’s general store for five years. This experience began preparing Shirley for numerous leadership roles including chairing the Arkansas Picnic Committee and beautifying Wofford Chapel Cemetery. Shirley lives in Chicago. She is married to Jesse Jones and is also an avid flower gardener. Shirley credits her loving family and community for molding her into a community leader.
Shirlene Keaton-Cokes
Shirlene Keaton Cokes was born to James and Queen Ester (Honey) Keaton of Casscoe, AR. She and her husband, Jewel Cokes, Jr., reside in Casscoe, AR. The couple has one son, Dwayne Glover. Shirlene has worked with Stuttgart Public School District for over 32 years. Additionally, she is a licensed funeral director at Relerford Funeral Home. Shirlene is an active member of Wofford Chapel Church. She serves as a board member of Wofford Chapel Cemetery Organization and works tirelessly as a community volunteer.
Easter Mae Browley-Noble (posthumous)
The late Easter Mae Browley-Noble married the late Charlie Noble Sr. She was the proud mother of 13 children. As a child, Easter attended Blue Wing School in Casscoe and the Immanuel School in Almyra. She became a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) working at Stuttgart Memorial Hospital and as private caregiver. She was affectionately known as “G-Mama” to her family and friends. Easter was a great historian and orator. She was a woman of many talents: a seamstress, a cook, and an avid photographer. She also loved traveling.
Elfreda Montgomery-Oates
Mrs. Elfreda Montgomery-Oates married to the late Leroy Oates of Crockett’s Bluff in 1932. She gave birth to 15 children: ten boys and five girls. She also has a total of 130 grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Elfreda was a homemaker who managed her home and the family farm with a strong hand. She leaned on God’s guidance to instill a strong work ethic in her children. She is a long-time member of Wofford Chapel Church. Elfreda is the oldest living resident in Keaton Township.
Thelma Mitchell-Sims
Mrs. Thelma Mitchell-Sims was joined in holy matrimony with Keaton Township descendant, the late Lee Mathis Sims, for 51 years. She is a active member of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church of Roe, AR where she serves as an usher. Liberty Missionary Baptist Church was her church home as a child. She is retired from Riceland Foods, Inc. of Stuttgart, AR. She enjoys traveling, cooking and showering her three children, seven grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren with love and affection.
"Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate." ~Proverbs 31:31
