Sharon "Lynn" Dacus

Lynn Gilstrap Dacus, aged 71- known as “Lala” by those she loved the most, went home to be with Jesus on Tuesday morning January 30, 2024 due to breast cancer that had spread throughout her body. Lynn was born on September 6, 1952 in Batesville, Arkansas to the late Billy Lynn Gilstrap and Georgia Kathryn (Poole) Gilstrap. Lynn and her younger brother Keith Gilstrap spent most of their formative years in the Kingwood area of Little Rock before she graduated from Hall High School in 1970. Lynn attended Ouachita Baptist University where she not only won the Chemistry Award but also won the constant attention and the heart of Jon Dacus, whom she later wed in 1975. 

After completing her Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology at UAMS, Lynn supported Jon through his completion of Dental School in Memphis. There she was employed by Baptist Hospital, during the exciting times when Elvis received treatment there and passed on.  After Jon’s graduation in 1979, the couple moved to Sherwood, and Lynn became the combination office manager / receptionist / dental assistant for Jon’s new dental practice in North Little Rock. After honing these skills, the practice grew and Lynn took on the duties of payroll accountant.

Lynn and Jon loved one another in marriage for 49 years, and were blessed with two children and three lovely grandchildren, Ezra (10), Cruz (6), and Moses (2). Lynn loved to say that “grandchildren were the only thing in life that were not overrated!” We will carry on her legacy of loving others so that we can live out God’s call on our lives to make Him known. 

Lynn loved being a mother to her daughter, Katie (Jeremy Stalcup) and to her son, Kris (Lisa Barnett). She was preceded in death by her Father Billy Gilstrap in 2012, nephew Ashton Gilstrap in 2017, and son Kris in 2020.  Lynn was a stay at home mom who participated in all her children’s school, sports, dance and cheer activities. Her pride in them was only surpassed by her pride in her grandchildren.  Lynn formed a special bond with her son-in-law, Jeremy Stalcup, when he lived under her roof for a year while finishing his Finance Degree.  

Lynn was an active member of Park Hill Baptist Church, where for years she was piano accompanist for second and third grade choirs. She also loved playing “two in hand” in the adult handbell choir during Christmas seasons. 

Due to her scant cooking activity, Lynn and Jon pioneered the “Restaurant Ministry”, where they became intimate acquaintances with the servers in all their favorite spots. Servers had precognition of their orders and Lynn would ask of THEIR needs and would make notes to pray for them. A group of similar-minded friends banded together as “Steak Club” in the early 2000’s. This group continues to meet weekly for meals and mutual prayer.

Lynn had “the gift”! Even strangers meeting her would soon find themselves baring their hearts to her of concerns in their lives…she really listened. People trusted Lynn, and for good reason, she was a great friend. Lynn related to everyone and would discuss their joys and needs, write them down, and pray about them daily.  For some children, she had literally prayed for decades. Lynn loved God’s Word, read it daily, and she had read it completely through at least 40 times. She was a faithful Christ-follower who trusted in her Lord. She was the true definition of a prayer warrior.

One of the highlights of Lynn’s life was her trip with Jon to the Holy Land in 2018, following in the footsteps of Christ and being baptized in the Jordan River.

Visitation will be held on Monday, February 5 from 6:00-8:00 PM at Park Hill Baptist Church and her celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, February 6 at 11:00 AM, also at Park Hill Baptist Church.  In lieu of flowers, the family would love for donations to be made to Abba Charities-a charity near and dear to Lynn’s heart.