Gladys Mae Shepherd McGraw peacefully passed away on August 22, 2022, surrounded by family. She was born January 8, 1931, to the late Robert and Annie Mae Shepherd in Stuttgart. She accepted Christ as her Savior in her early teens and was a Baptist. She was a graduate of Stuttgart High School and Henderson State Teachers College. In January of 1953, she began teaching math, physics and chemistry at Bauxite. In later years she taught at White Station (Memphis) and Brinkley. In 1976, her family moved to Beebe, and she returned to teaching, retiring there in 1993. For over ten years, she volunteered at the Beebe Christian Outreach Center on the clothing side. She had been a member of the First Baptist Church in Beebe since 1976. She was preceded by her siblings, Juanita Shepherd, Robert Shepherd, Jr., and Helen S. Beard. She is survived by her children, Dr. Lisa McGraw of Fayetteville, Dr. Lance (Penny) McGraw of Beebe, Dr. Larry (Hope) McGraw of Beebe, and Linda (Bo) Bevis of Scott; grandchildren Katie McGraw, Kelsey (Hunter) Spakes, and Taylor McGraw, Livia and Trevor McGraw and Kaden Young, as well as several nieces and nephews. A private graveside service and entombment in Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens Mausoleum will be held. The family requests no flowers, please. Memorials may be made to the Beebe First Baptist Church or to the Christian Outreach Center. Arrangements by Smith Westbrook Funeral Home, Beebe. Visit www.smithfamilycares.com/westbrook to view the online registry.
