Sheila Mary Tinsley

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Obituary

Sheila Mary Tinsley, age 79, of Natural Dam, AR, died peacefully on October 9, 2012. She was born in May 1933 in New York City to James Patrick Meehan and Julia Farnham Meehan.
Sheila grew up riding the bridle paths of Central Park in New York City, where her lifelong love for horses began. While raising her five children there were always horseshows, Pony Club, foxhunting, checking cattle on horseback, and the annual fall trail ride that Sheila hosted with her husband Eldon. She extended her enjoyment of horses by teaching her children and grandchildren and students to ride.

Sheila was a painter and illustrator. She used her talents to create personalized cards and portraits for friends and family, as well as chronicling the events of the community she loved in the years she wrote and illustrated the newsletter, “Water Over the Dam”.

She surrounded her home with gardens that grew an abundance of flowers and produce, which she generously shared. A favorite from her garden and kitchen was her strawberry freezer jam.

Sheila had a gift for singing with her lovely voice. She never missed an opportunity to sing with the church choir, to sing Irish ballads and dance a jig, or to lead in Christmas caroling along Cove Creek.

Sheila is survived by her sons from her marriage to James S. McMahon: Tim McMahon and wife Jennifer of Fayetteville, AR, and sons James McMahon and Brandon Looper; James McMahon and wife Margaret of San Antonio, TX, and children Corrie Mauldin, Bowman McMahon, Shaw McMahon; John McMahon and wife Erika of Fayetteville, AR, and daughter Sallie McMahon; Clancy McMahon and wife Jennifer of Natural Dam, and children Liam McMahon and Grace McMahon.

Sheila is also survived through her marriage to Eldon G. Tinsley by his children: Jerry Tinsley and wife Becky of Lee’s Summit, MO, and children Sara Tinsley and Clayton Timmons; Brenda Arndt and husband David of Dallas, TX, and daughter Nikki Elliot; and Anita VanZant of Farmington, AR, and children Landon VanZant, Ryan VanZant, Mandy Polley, Jenifer VanZant, and Lindsay Jester.

Sheila was preceded in death by daughter Julia Farnham McMahon and husband Eldon Tinsley.

The family will receive friends on Friday evening from 6:00-7:00 P.M. at Luginbuel Funeral Home.

Funeral service will be held Saturday, October 13, 2012 - 4:00 P.M. at the First Presbyterian Church in Prairie Grove, Arkansas, with burial to follow in the Prairie Grove Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers family ask that donations be made to the Coffee Creek Riding Center for the Handicapped in Edmond, Oklahoma, 17 E. Coffee Creek Rd. Edmond, Oklahoma 73034 - www.coffeecreek.org or Horses for Healing 14673 Daniels Rd. Bentonville, Arkansas 72712 - www.horsesforhealingnwa.org

Online guest book, www.luginbuel.com

Funeral Service

Saturday, October 13, 2012
4:00 pm

First Presbyterian Church in Prairie Grove, Arkansas

Visitation

Friday, October 12, 2012
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Luginbuel Funeral Home in Prairie Grove, Arkansas

Final Resting Place

Prairie Grove Cemetery

North, Row 60, Space 75

General

Date of Birth: May 10, 1933

Date of Death: Oct 9, 2012

Age: 79

Documents

Memorial Folder

Tributes

Make a Tribute!

Sheila was a wonderful special lady that was very talented. She was a delight to our Brookstone family.We were honored to have the priviledge of caring for her. May the family find peace and comfort. Our prayers and thoughts are with you all.

Brookstone Assisted Living - Administrator Of Brookstone

Thank you to all of Mom's friends for your kind words, thoughts and prayers.

Tim McMahon - Son

Sheila Tinsley a woman of strength, grace and beauty. I met Sheila 25 years ago at the first Misty River Hounds opening hunt. We became good friends very quickly due to three things; horses, humor, and husbands. We were both horse mad and loved foxhunting. We loved to sing the old Irish songs, hymns, and Christmas carols, and we enjoyed the same sense of humor. She had the sweetest giggle – especially when she had just said something slightly naughty. Best of all our husbands became good friends so we could go ride while they talked – this was just one of the many things we laughed about. When I look at a horse, I admire the strength, grace, and beauty of the animal and over the years I have known her, Sheila also exemplified those traits. Sheila had strength. She was a physically fit, strong woman who could handle most of the heavy farms chores easily. I saw her handle unruly horses (and sometimes unruly sons) with the same gentle ease that comes from true strength – of both will and muscle. From her I learned a valuable truth, you don’t need to fight you just need to listen. Sheila had grace. No one ever looked more elegant on a horse than Sheila. Those of us who hunted with her are still striving to match that elegance. She was just as graceful and elegant in jeans and boots with a bandana tied around her throat and work gloves tucked into her belt as she was in fancy dress at a hunt ball. Sheila was beautiful. I never knew her as a young woman but when I first met her I could see how very beautiful she must have been in her youth, because in spite of silver hair and the lines of wisdom on her face she was still beautiful. Of course it helped that Sheila was a beautiful person both inside and out. I rarely saw her with a hair out of place (even after an involuntary dismount!), and she never had a mean or unkind word to say about anyone – truly she had a beautiful soul and a kind heart. The past few years have been extremely difficult for her, a graceful, active woman who could no longer ride free across the colorful countryside chasing hounds. I pray that there is a heaven and that her favorite hunt horse is waiting with her daughter Julia to go for a long lovely ride, and that Eldon is there to give her a leg up and check her girth. Tally Ho Sheila! You will be missed. Alice Jernigan

Alice Jernigan - Friend

I am so glad that my sister, Jennifer, married Sheila's son Clancy. We have spent a lot of time on Cove Creek with Jen, Clancy, Liam, and Grace. Sheila always welcomed us into her home. She was so beautiful, gracious, strong, and kind. I always looked forward to Sheila's annual Christmas cards... works of art every year! Our thoughts are with y'all during this difficult time. Love you! Wendy

Wendy, Albert, And Ethan Desautel And Dylan Voirin

Ryan and family: Please accept our sincere condolences on your loss. Please know you are all in our thoughts and prayers.

Randy & Linda Bradley - Friends

Alice Jernigan's tribute was perfect! Sheila was indeed beautiful, talented, loving, and full of grace. She will be greatly missed. What an AMAZING LADY! She was one of my favorite women. What a role model! I am so lucky to have known her and the McMahon family. My thoughts and love go out to each of you. You are indeed such an amazing family! I remember when I was riding at The Trails she told me once that she felt closest to God when she was riding a horse. I loved her laugh and tried to copy her handwriting. So unique. I'm sorry that I won't be able to be at the funeral and to give each of you a big hug. Much love to each of you! My message may get posted twice, I don't think it worked the first time but that just means more love!Caroline 405-842-5106

Caroline Payne Young - Friend

May you rest in peace knowing that you raised good sons who represent themselves in their daily lives with a high level of integrity and who have a great love of their families. The Sarkin Family

Steffan And Casey Sarkin - Friends Of Sons

You are all in my prayers that you will feel in your love for each other God's presence and his love. Sheila was one of my most special friends in high school. There were only 21 in our class and Sheila was the predident all four years. She was as fine on the field hockey field, basketball court as she was at writing essays, drawing beautiful posters and singing in the glee club. But we all loved her for herself, her laughter and her caring and gracious ways. We have all been blessed to have her in our lives.

Eloise Wilding - Boarding School Friend 1950's

Tim and Jennifer, May this difficult time be lightened in knowing that your loved one is at peace and in heaven with our loving Father. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Love you all, The Shaw Family

Shaw Family - Family Friends

Tim & Clancy & families, Sorry to hear about the death of your mother. Blessings to you and yours.

John & Pat Kendrick - Acquaintance

My heart and prayers go out to Sheila , the McMahon's and Tensley's. Sheila was such a sweet, gracious and very accomplished woman;a mother of 5 great kids, horse trainer, rider,singer,rancher, painter, friend to all...a true renaissance woman!!I bet she is happily riding one of her favorite horses along side her dad and julia, just like the old days.I am confident there is a new, beautiful, energetic angel looking over us all and her name is Sheila! May God bless and comfort you all! Love jim and family.

Jim Snoddy - Friend

Sheila will always be by hero on earth, a true lady who loved God, her family and horses!!! I am so blessed to have been part of her life! I will be riding horses with her and Eldon as soon as I get home to join them, for I never got the chance here on earth to do so. But we did share so much. Gonna miss her so much although I know she is where she wants to be. Praise God for who we meet.

Kimberly Kirkland - Friend

There are not enough words to convey the value of Ms Tinsley's gift of time, skill, support and vision to the many, many lives of Pony Club members and volunteers alike. She was the very model of leadership to which we might all aspire. We know she is enjoying a gallop with Julia through God's green pastures right this minute...

Tina Rottmann - Pony Club Volunteer

I can still see in my mind, Sheila mounted on her horse, flying freely across the prairie land of Oklahoma in pursuit of hounds. What a wonderful lady to have enjoyed knowing. And such a way with both words and art forms. A real treasure! Lucille Fancey MFF Lost Hound Hunt Ret.

Lucille Fancey - Long Time Friend (fox Hunting)

So many rich memories of watching Sheila gracefully combining all that filled her life. Moving flawlessly from horses to modeling; beautiful whether in jeans or a lovely gown! A special lady of strength and yet tenderness, coupled with determination, joy, laughter, wisdom and faith! We are holding all of her family wrapped in thoughts and prayer as you celebrate such an amazing lady's life!

Joy Fancey Milligan - A Wonderful Friend To My Mom Mrs. Fancey

To Sheilas sons I want to tell you how blessed I feel to have known your beautiful mother. In my I have met only three women that I call exceptional. My mother being one and your mother another. If everyone could have her outlook on life this world would have no real problems. She was a gift from God to me and I hope my mother becomes her best friend in heaven. My best to each of you.

Becky Tinsley - Stepdaughter Inlaw

Keep these arctiles coming as they've opened many new doors for me.

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