Viceil Allen Shuffield

Viceil "Vy" Allen Shuffield, 92, of Miami, Fla., formerly of Conway, Ark. and Jackson, Tenn., passed away peacefully on September 23, 2013 with her family by her side. Vy was born on September 22, 1921 in Bismarck, Hot Spring County, Ark. to the late William Walter Allen and Mary Elizabeth Hixon Allen. She graduated from Bismarck High School as salutatorian of her class at age 16 in 1938. Married to William Lester Shuffield on Christmas Eve, 1941, Les and Vy celebrated their 70th anniversary in 2011, while living in Orlando, Fla. where they moved in 2005 to be closer to their two sons and families. Les passed away on January 4, 2012 and Vy moved to Miami in February, 2013, where she resided until her death. Vy was a loving homemaker, community volunteer leader, faithful Church member, and Women's Missionary Union (WMU) leader for over six decades. She and Les were involved in six Baptist Churches spanning five southern states in the various cities where they lived during Les' career with J.C. Penney. In addition to being a superior student, she also excelled as a star member of her school's basketball team, while at the same time helping to nurse her ailing mother who passed away during Vy's senior year in high school. During World War II, while Les served in the US Pacific Theater, Vy worked for her Uncle Loyal at Allen's Sewing Center in Malvern, Ark. and began raising her first son, Charles, who was born three months after Les left for the war. Charles was two years old before Les was able to return from active duty. Vy possessed deep faith in our Lord and Savior, and effectively shared her faith with countless others. For over thirty years, she taught the fourth-grade girls' Sunday School class. Everything she undertook reflected her steadfast faith and love for people, which accounted for her wonderful spirit and joy for living. Her motto was, "What you can't change, you have to accept"! She never complained about anything and had a wonderful sense of humor. In Vy's home, there was always a scent of something delicious coming from the oven. She especially loved baking and enjoyed sharing her sweet creations with friends and family on a regular basis. Once her boys left for college, she expanded her talents to ceramics and other crafts, which she loved giving to others. She is survived by her two sons, William Charles Shuffield (Karen) of Orlando, Fla. and Ronald Allen Shuffield (Anita) of Miami, Fla.; a brother, Bill Allen (Lora) of Hot Springs, Ark.; five grandchildren; Mary Beth Figueroa (Eric) and Cecilia Kay Shuffield of Orlando, Fla., Melissa Shuffield of New York, N.Y., Allison Shuffield of Washington, DC and Scott Shuffield of Miami, Fla.; and two great-grandchildren, Reese Figueroa and Harrison Figueroa of Orlando, Fla. She was preceded in death by her mother (1938) and father (1969); three sisters, Ruthell Orr (1984), Meathel Revis (2004), Lavada Anderson (1978) and brother, J.C. "Jack" Allen (1999). The family will receive friends at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013 at Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home, 517 Clay St, Arkadelphia, Ark. (870-246-4551), with a service immediately following in the funeral home chapel at 11:30 a.m., led by Dr. Dale Wicker, Pastor of Conway's First Baptist Church. Interment will follow at DeRoche Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery, 939 Highway 128, Bismarck, Ark. 71929 (501-865-3740). In lieu of flowers, gifts may be given to the DeRoche Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery Fund c/o the above address. Sign on-line guest book at www.ruggleswilcox.com.