Mr. Joe C. Shelnutt, Jr.

Joe C. Shelnutt, Jr., age 75, of Benton, passed away Wednesday, November 4, 2015. He was born in Little Rock on April 19, 1940 to Joe C. Shelnutt, Sr. and Rheba Lee Pool.

Mr. Shelnutt graduated from Little Rock Central High School where he was a member of the band and stage band in 1958 and attended Little Rock Junior College.

He expertly played the saxophone for 65 years, delighting his family and friends with all genre of music.

He was the lead tenor sax in the Village Big Band and played professionally throughout the mid-south with “The Pacers” and “Chuck Brooks and the Falcons,” as well as worked as a studio musician.

A faithful member of First Baptist Church of Benton, he was a Deacon and played in the orchestra.

Joe was president of Electro-Power in North Little Rock before becoming a manufacturer’s representative for Lesley and Associated of Memphis, TN.

He was preceded in death by his father, the Reverend Joe C. Shelnutt, Sr.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Gloria Boren Shelnutt, his mother, Rheba Pool Shelnutt, sister, Kaye Shelnutt Hudson and husband, James. He had three children, Melanie Shelnutt, Angela Shelnutt, and Joe C. (Chuck) Shelnutt and wife, Stacy and three grandchildren, Leah Ramirez Shelnutt and husband, Josue, Joe C. (JC) Shelnutt IV, and Polly Shelnutt, as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was an avid reader and scholar. As a child he would go to bed reading a dictionary and read the complete set of Compton’s Encyclopedia. He had an enormous depth of understanding in numerous subjects, including the Bible, and he continually shared his knowledge with all who cared to listen.


A celebration of life is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. Sunday, November 8, 2015 at First Baptist Church in Benton Selph Hall with Dr. Rick Grant and Pastor Edd Spurlock officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to service beginning at 2:00 p.m.

Memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Church of Benton, 211 S. Market Street, Benton, AR 72015 or to the "Village Big Band" - Hot Springs Concert Band, P.O. Box 8667, Hot Springs, AR 71910-8667.