Sharron Lorene Havens

Sharron Lorene Ballard Havens, age 77, went to be with the Lord on May 17, 2026. She was born in Beebe, Arkansas to Faye and James (Bill) Ballard on August 30, 1948.

She grew up in the Oak Grove community where she enjoyed riding her horse “Babe”, spending time with cousins at their grandparents’ farm, and involvement in 4-H and church. She moved from Cabot schools to Lonoke after father was killed in a bulldozer accident when she was 13.

Sharron quickly made friends and settled in the Lonoke schools. It was there she met Hugh Havens, the love of her life. They were married after her graduation. He was 19 and she was 18. They moved to Russellville where Hugh was already enrolled in Arkansas Tech, and she was excited to be a new bride as well as a college student. After graduation they moved back home to Lonoke where she began her teaching career. She spent 37 years at Lonoke in various positions beginning with 5th grade language arts and ending as superintendent of the Lonoke School District. Sharron was the first woman in Lonoke to be named to the superintendency. During her tenure and leadership, and with the help of the Lonoke School Board, the Lonoke Middle School was built. Her work with teachers not only included those from Lonoke but also from the Wilbur Mills Education Cooperative. She spent 15 years working at Harding University as an adjunct professor and completed requirements for a Master’s degree from UCA. Her goal was always improving learning for students and staff.

Throughout her lifetime, she was members of both Oak Grove Baptist Church and Lonoke Baptist Church serving in various activities and positions. She enjoyed the fellowship received from church families, especially women’s work throughout the years as well as the closeness developed in the study of God’s word and work focused on women’s mission.

Sharron enjoyed anything that had to do with family, whether it was playing and cooking in the backyard or traveling with the family to see the sights of our country. She is blessed to have two outstanding children who have given her five exceptional grandchildren and three adorable great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by grandparents, Fred and Dollie Goad and Lois and Jim Ballard; parents Faye and James Ballard, and her husband of 58 years, Hugh Parks Havens. She is survived by two children: Holly (Tim) Dewey of Lonoke and Wes (Jessamy) Havens of North Little Rock; five grandchildren Grant (Erica) Dewey; Haven (Colton) Tidwell; Selah Havens; Harper Havens; and Hudson Havens; and three great grandsons; Bennett and Beckham Dewey; Jack Parks Tidwell.

The family would like to thank her four loving caregivers: Jennifer Sharpe, Stacy Talley, JoAnn Harris, and Jessamy Havens for their love and care with our mother. The family would also like to recognize the wonderful nurses and staff at Elite Hospice.

There will be a visitation at 12:00pm on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. A Celebration of Life will follow at 1:00pm at the Lonoke Baptist Church. There will be a private family burial at Oak Grove Cemetery.