Barbara Ann Conway-Shell, 50, of Jonesboro, Arkansas, passed from this life on Friday, May 30, 2025, at St. Bernards Hospital in Jonesboro. She was born on August 31, 1974, at Mercy Hospital in Brinkley, Arkansas, to Argentry Conway Sr. and Ruby Milton Conway.
Barbara accepted Christ as her Savior at a young age and was a devoted member of Light House Baptist Church in Newport. She graduated from Cotton Plant High School with the Class of 1992 and later married the love of her life, Maurice Shell, on May 3, 1997. Together, they raised two beautiful children and shared 28 years of love and partnership.
Affectionately known as “Bobcat” to her family and friends in Cotton Plant, Barbara had a loving, vibrant spirit. She worked for Townsend of Arkansas in Batesville before becoming a CNA and caring for residents at the nursing home in Newport until her health no longer allowed.
Barbara loved to dance, sit outside, and talk for hours on the phone with her siblings, family members, friends, and FaceTime with her grandbabies. Her laughter, kindness, and love for family will forever be remembered.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings, Larry Conway, Argentry Conway Jr., Dennis Conway, Brenda Conway, James Conway, Tomika Conway, Curtis Conway, Adam Conway, Laura Conway, Alberta Conway, and Dywanda Conway-Bovan.
Barbara leaves to cherish her memory: her husband, Maurice Shell of Jonesboro; one son, Asante Shell of Newport; one daughter, Daneshielle Shell of Jonesboro; two beloved grandchildren, Keontay Shell and A’Kayson Shell of Newport; four brothers, Rickey (Mary) Conway, Roy Conway, and Dewayne Conway, all of Little Rock, and Glenn (Pamela) Conway of Douglasville, Georgia; five sisters, Betty Benson and Alice Conway of Little Rock, Wendy Roddy of Fort Worth, Texas, and La’ Cresia Conway of Cotton Plant; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
Pallbearers honored to serve are Za’Quarious Conway, Tedrick Conway, Darious Conway, Luther Rucker, Henry Peel, and Carlos Neal and Steven Neal. Honorary pallbearers are Morris Shell Sr., Morris Shell Jr., Tevin Peel, and the Conway Family.
Service will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at Light House Baptist Church in Newport with Pastor Raymond Beckles officiating. Visitation will be from 9:00 until service time. Interment will be at Morning Star Cemetery in Cotton Plant.
