Sheila Arlene Harlan, 76, passed away on April 24, 2017 at Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville, Ark. She was born Feb. 8, 1941 in Eureka Springs, Ark., to the late Howard and Oneida Bell (Lake) Higgins. She was the wife of the late Ronald “Ronnie” Harlan who preceded her in death in April 2010.
Sheila was a lifelong resident of the area, living most of her years in Rogers. She met Ronnie at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church near Avoca, Ark., where they were married in 1958.
Her favorite pastimes were flower gardening and bass fishing. Sheila was also a great cook, an avid reader, and a fan of classic movies, especially Westerns.
She was a devout Christian who served within the Southern Baptist church community for many years. Because of her gifted soprano voice, she was oftentimes asked to lead the church song service or direct Vacation Bible School music programs.
Survivors include her son Anthony “Tony” Harlan and daughter, Rhonda Mills, both of Ponca, Ark.; grandson Braden Townsley of Rogers, Ark.; brother Gerald Higgins and his wife, Norma, of Garfield, Ark.; brother Dennis and wife, Suzy, of Springdale, Ark.; and five nephews.
A graveside service will be on Friday, April 28, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. in Rogers City Cemetery, where friends of Sheila and her family are invited to join in honoring her memory.
Because Sheila’s greatest passion was fishing and spending time on the river or lake, memorial donations can be made in her honor to the Buffalo River Foundation and its watershed protection effort at www.buffaloriverfoundation.org.
Online condolences may be made at www.rollinsfuneral.com.