Sheila Arlene Harlan

Sheila Arlene Harlan, age 76, passed away on April 24, 2017 at Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville. She was born on February 8, 1941 in Eureka Springs, Arkansas 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 of 2010. Sheila was a life-long resident of the area, living most of her years in Rogers. She met Ronnie at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church near Avoca, Arkansas, 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, Arkansas; grandson, Braden Townsley of Rogers; brother, Gerald Higgins and his wife, Norma of Garfield; brother, Dennis and his wife, Suzy of Springdale; and five nephews. Sheila's family would like to thank Kaila Kasnicka and the team of compassionate, outstanding people at Bradford House Nursing & Rehabilitation for their years of faithful, untiring service---you made such a difference in the quality of her life each time she was in your care. In addition, we are grateful to the elders and staff of Legacy Village Assisted Living for the daily comfort, friendship and nursing care extended to Sheila as a resident there the past four years. To Dr. Lance Hamilton, attending physician at Bradford House, Dr. Regina Thurman and staff of Fayetteville, Amy Field, formerly of Medtronics and now serving with Dr. Thurman, Dr. Angela Ayson and staff of Rogers, Dr. William Swindell and staff of Mercy Internal Medicine, and the physicians and staff of Mercy Hospital of Northwest Arkansas, a tremendous thank you for the years of medical care you provided her, a level of care that was always of the highest integrity. Countless health care professionals attended to Sheila in recent days and over the years---please accept her family's heartfelt thanks for the kindness and skill with which each of you compassionately served. 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.