Sue Shell Chrisco

Of Sage, Arkansas

"She taught me when I have enough to share it with the poor and never let a needy child go empty from the door." - Phebe, The Blackberry Girl by Edward Livermore

Hattie Sue Shell Chrisco, born November 15, 1935 in Guion, Arkansas, went to her eternal home on Tuesday, September 2, 2025 surrounded by family and friends in her home near Sage, Arkansas.

She was the beloved daughter of Harry Shell and Myrtle Mandy Tomlinson Shell; baby sister to Hoyt Shell, Frankie Shell, and Jean Shell Hanley; faithful sweetheart to Amos Daniel (A.D.) Chrisco; and loving mother to Shelley, Rustin, Marissa, and Jeanne.

Those who knew and loved her called her Sue; she was only Hattie to those she beat at basketball, Rook, bowling, and the dating scene. Born left-handed and forced to use her right, Sue was ambidextrous – a trait which not only made her a dangerous basketball player, but also meant she could write with both hands – a party trick she showed off for life.

She lived a happy life in Izard County, Arkansas; Wichita, Kansas; and Wenatchee, Washington; surrounded by friends and cousins who both encouraged and endured her wit and antics.

A renowned local athlete, she was the first woman to be awarded a basketball scholarship to attend Beebe Junior College where she earned her associates degree in between dancing jigs and riding around in cars with boys.

Although her mother threatened to shoot him when he would come to pick her up for dates, Sue fell in love with local heartthrob, A.D. Chrisco. In spite of Myrtle's teasing, the two married in October, 1955 with Sue proudly announcing at her parent's Melbourne Cafe, "Well, I got him!"

Their early life together was filled with love and loss. Their first daughter, Shelley Jeanne, passed away shortly after birth. The couple knew they wanted their home filled with the laughter and love that children bring, and soon had Rustin, Marissa, and Jeanne.

She held many jobs throughout her life, from working with family programs at NADC to owning and operating her own laundromat and ironing business. Throughout this time, she and A.D. fostered 17 children in their home, a cause Sue supported throughout her life.

Her true passions were the Lord, her community, and genealogy. She could be found many a Sunday morning driving to pick her friends up for church. Everyone who met her learned of her love for Jesus whose life and love she taught about at Sage Baptist Church. A Sunday School teacher for almost 40 years, throughout her later years Sue championed women having a greater role in the church.

Sue and her cousin Betty McCollum devoted decades of their life researching their family and the history of North Central Arkansas. They co-authored many genealogical documents as well as a series of books titled Down Memory Lane, preserving the stories of older generations. The interviews in these books detail the hard lives of the people from North Central Arkansas, and the grit and love with which they lived.

In their "retirement", Sue and A.D. established a cemetery preservation association. They could often be seen dowsing for graves and Sue would research to determine the location of unmarked sites including abandoned slave cemeteries. Through their determination the group cleaned almost 30 cemeteries and made, by hand, over 500 home poured concrete headstones.

Just as they had when they fostered children, Sue and A.D. opened their hearts and homes to the troubled, the weary, and often even convicted criminals. They ministered at local jails and for better or worse personally took on rehabilitation efforts for many.

Having grown up in the Great Depression, Sue knew how important it was for communities to help one another. She devoted much of her time to managing the Manna House, an Izard County food bank program that has fed and clothed thousands. She was honored by local organizations and the Arkansas Governor's office for her charitable work.

She is survived by her children, seven grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

Her passing marks the end to her greatest story: a life well lived in the following of Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior. We are sure that she will be telling it to the Angels, and we know they'll have the patience to hear it more than once.

Visitation and funeral service will be held at Eddie's Family Funeral Home in Melbourne.  Visitation will be held Monday, September 8 from 6-8 p.m.  Funeral service will be held Tuesday, September 9 at 10:00 a.m. with Doyne Robertson officiating.  Burial will follow at Caney Springs Cemetery in Sage.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to:  Manna House, 147 Lunen, Melbourne, Arkansas 72556.

Pallbearers:  Joe Scott Shell, Jay Shell, Gary Don Shell, Pat Shell, Paul Janker, Logan Holiday.

Honorary Pallbearers:  Paul Gray Miller, Maggie Campbell Webb, Alex Chrisco, Jessie Rhea, Steve Davidson, Erik Powers.