Lloyd Luther Shirley

Lloyd Luther Shirley, age 81, passed away peacefully on December 4, 2023, with his family lovingly by his side.

Lloyd was born in Gravel Ridge, Arkansas, on April 1, 1942, to Wilbur and Floy Owens Shirley. He attended grade school and high school in Sylvan Hills and graduated in 1960. After working for a year, he traveled to St. Paul, MN, to attend Apostolic Bible Institute, where he met Nancy Eikamp from Cochrane, WI. Lloyd & Nancy were married on August 24, 1963. After graduation from college, he was licensed with the United Pentecostal Church, Int. He evangelized before assuming the pastorate of the Full Gospel Tabernacle in Worthington, Minnesota. During his tenure there, he was instrumental in overseeing the building of a new sanctuary. He also served as the Youth President of the Minnesota-Manitoba District. Three children were born in

Worthington: Stephen Anthony (1964), Kevin Alan (1967, deceased), and Cylinda (1968). Feeling the call of the Lord to the Caribbean area, he applied for Foreign Missions service to the Leeward Islands and was appointed in February 1973. He arrived on location in August of 1974 and made his residence in St. Croix, U.S.V.I. He established churches in St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. Kitts, Nevis, and St. Maarten. He began Bible School training in January of 1975 and built a Bible School building on St. Croix for a three-year program. He also held short-term teaching sessions in the other islands in the summer months. During his tenure, he was blessed to have 48 different Associates in Missions who assisted in constructing Bible Schools and churches, teaching Bible school classes and evangelism.

In January of 1990, he relocated to Puerto Rico. He served as the superintendent of the work in Puerto Rico and Guyana. 1993 he was appointed Regional Director for Central America and the Caribbean. He resided in Puerto Rico until 1994 when he moved to North Little Rock. In 1999, he moved to St Peters, MO and became Global Missions Director of Education and A.I.M. He served in that capacity for 11 years. In December 2010, he retired and moved back to Arkansas.

Throughout his ministry, he was privileged to travel to 76 countries. He served on the Global Missions Board and Compassion Services International Board from 1999 until the present. He made New Life Church, Cabot, AR, his home church and served as the leader of the Flying Eagles Ministry. He also served on the church board. Pastor Tim and Stacy Gaddy and the church family have embraced and loved him through the years.

Lloyd was talented and creative in many areas. He was mechanically inclined and enjoyed working on cars and motorcycles. He was a pilot, and always dreamt of building his own airplane. He had many creative endeavors, including woodworking and turning pens. In his lifetime he created over 2,000 ink pens, most of which were given to graduates of Bible colleges around the world or sold for missions projects.

Lloyd is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Nancy (Eikamp) Shirley; two children, Stephen Anthony (Karin) and Cylinda (John) Nickel; five grandchildren: Kaylin (Jordan) Dye, Kristen (Michael) Mast, Megan (Logan) Fowler, Seanna (McGwire) Denmark, and Emma Nickel; three great-grandchildren: Loyal Dye, Elowynn & Ivy Mae Mast; two sisters, Mary Brady & Sylvia Gladen, and brother Ken Shirley. He was preceded in death by one son, Kevin Alan.

The family would like to express their deepest thanks to Dr. Sneed, the doctoral staff and nurses on Floor 3, and the step-down unit of Conway Regional Medical Center for the excellent care and kindness shown to Lloyd and his family over the last two months.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM Saturday, followed by a funeral at 12:00 PM, Saturday, December 9, 2023 at New Life Church, 107 Commercial Street, Cabot.  Interment will follow at the Gravel Ridge Cemetery. 

Arrangements by Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main St, North Little Rock, AR 72114, 501-758-1170.--