Ronald Ray Shemwell
Ronald Ray Shemwell
Funeral services for Ronald Ray Shemwell, 87, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, February 10, 2023, at First Baptist Church, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Shemwell passed away at 1:40 a.m., Saturday, February 4, 2023, at Circle of Life Hospice, Bentonville, Arkansas.
Ronald, the son of the late Clyde Shemwell and Trulla Hudson, was born on December 17, 1935, in Success, Arkansas. On January 23, 1959, he was married at Poplar Bluff, Missouri, to Peggy Jean Rodgers, who preceded him in death on July 9, 2012. Mr. Shemwell received his education from the Neelyville Public Schools, Southeast Missouri State University, and the University of Missouri. He was retired from the Missouri Public School system where he was a respected teacher, coach, and administrator for 30 years. His first varsity coaching job was at the age of 20 with Neelyville High School. Mr. Shemwell coached basketball, baseball, and girls basketball for the West Plains Zizzers. Upon his retirement from West Plains R-7 he was also the Athletic Director and Transportation Director. He was also retired from a second career as an insurance agent and he was a veteran of the United States Army. Mr. Shemwell was active in many organizations throughout his life including, the Grizzly Booster Club, Rotary Club, and the Masons. He loved basketball, baseball, fishing, and quail hunting, but most of all he loved his family and friends. Nothing gave him more pleasure than spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Mr. Shemwell was a member of First Baptist Church.
He is survived by his daughter, Cindy Lee and husband, Monte, Bella Vista, Arkansas; son, Steven Shemwell and wife, Katie, Festus, Missouri; four grandchildren, Ryan Lee and wife, Lindsay, Centerton, Arkansas, Katie Bellamy and husband, Brett, Cave Springs, Arkansas, Anna Lee, Olathe, Kansas, Naomi Shemwell, Festus, Missouri; six great-grandchildren, Maddox Lee, Titus Lee, August Lee, Silas Lee, Brooks Bellamy, and Elsie Bellamy; One sister, Shirley Virdon, Springfield, Missouri; and many nieces and nephews.
His parents and wife preceded him in death.
Mr. Shemwell will lie in state from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. Thursday at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Visitation will be held from 12:30 until 2:00 p.m., Friday, at First Baptist Church. Burial will be in Oak Lawn Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to MSU Grizzly Athletics and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO 65775.
Dustin W Mahan
February 7, 2023 @ 10:04 am
Shemwell and family, I’m sorry for the loss of your loved one.
Dr. Bill Ray Lewis.
February 7, 2023 @ 12:55 pm
It was an honor to have been grades 7-12 principal at Naylor High School when Ron served as basket and baseball coach as well as a very motivational classroom teacher!!! He was tops!!! No one knew the fundamentals of those two sports better than Ron Shemwell, and no one was better at teaching those fundamentals than Ron!!! The students and staff loved Ron, and we all knew immediately that he was one among when it came to his dedication to his profession!!! He was a great role model for students and their parents, and was held in high esteem by the entire citizenship of the Naylor community!!! Ron Shemwell was a gifted human being and a man with many skills and talents which he wisely utilized to teach, lead and honor those he knew and those with whom he worked!!! To those of us who knew and worked with Ron Shemwell, it quickly became evident that only our Devine Creator could fashion such a person!!! It makes us, now, believe, too, that that Devine Creator has called Ron home to lead and teach His legions of Angels how to fly and involve themselves in Heavenly Sports!!!
Cindy Lyman
February 7, 2023 @ 2:19 pm
Ron made a huge impact with his warm and friendly personality. He was a true gentleman. We will miss him at The Village on the Park Bentonville!
Amber(Cozort)Redburn
February 7, 2023 @ 5:46 pm
Cindy/Monte & Families and Steven/Katie/Naomi & Shirley & Families,
Our Deepest Sympathy to all of you on the passing of Ron. We are keeping all of you in our daily prayers and thoughts. During this time may God comfort, encourage, strengthen, and give each of you peace. May God bless all of you.
In Christian Love,
Norris/Ivene Cozort
Tim, Amber(Cozort), and Corby Redburn
Vicky Richman Brown
February 8, 2023 @ 10:28 am
Ron Shemwell will be missed by so many people. He touched so many lives as a teacher and a dear friend! I addressed him as Mr. Shemwell because he was my teacher, and I thought he was one of the best, he always treated everyone with deep respect! My family always addressed him as Ronnie! Our families spent some very special times together!
Cindy and Steve, I know that you now have lost both of your parents, but the legacy they left for you is so wonderful!! All of your families will be in my thoughts and prayers!
David and Kathy Clark
February 8, 2023 @ 2:48 pm
So sorry to hear of coach’s passing. Our sympathy and prayers go out to all Ron’s family and friends. David and Kathy Clark
Dwayne Lovan
February 8, 2023 @ 6:54 pm
My prayers are with the Shemwell family. I had the pleasure of being a student of Coach.
Dwayne Lovan
Class of 82
Renee Stephens
February 8, 2023 @ 7:31 pm
Cindy,
I’m so sorry for your family’s loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Renee (Koendarfer) Stephens
Sam Atwell
February 8, 2023 @ 7:56 pm
So sorry to hear of Ron’s passing. He was a student athlete and coach that I looked up to and enjoyed visiting. His mother was my teacher and his dad our cotton gin manager. Great guy and great family. Sam Atwell
Beth Holden
February 9, 2023 @ 1:17 pm
I will miss Ron and he always seemed happy whenever you saw him. I talked to him on the phone 2 months ago and he wanted me and Becky and I to drive down to Bentonville have lunch with him. I told him we would try to do that after the first of the year but we didn’t have enough time to make it. He was a great couch and a very caring person. Praying for comfort for his family during this sad time.
Bsrbara K Barriner
June 25, 2023 @ 4:55 pm
I knew you through Neelyville schools and your mom and dad cotton gin. Always so nice. I know mom and dad ( Harry and Anna Kimberlin thought the world of you and your family, through their time in Neelyville on the farm raising cotton and beans. Great times but hard times too.
So sorry for your loss.
Barbara(Kimberlin) Barriner.