Brenda Joy Baker Shoptaw

Brenda Joy Baker Shoptaw, “Our B”, age 71 entered eternity with her Savior Jesus Christ on June 21, 2024, and is now singing alongside her parents, Amon & Joynelle Baker, in her dad’s heavenly choir. Brenda was born in Dayton, TX on July 29, 1952. She graduated High School in Pine Bluff AR and went on to graduate Bauder Fashion College in Arlington, TX. She lived most of her life in and around the Little Rock area. She loved her job of many years as the Administrative Assistant for the Biochemistry Department at UAMS. She enjoyed playing her flute and singing in her father’s choir at Immanuel Baptist Church. One of B’s favorite pastimes was watching the sun set on her porch at her home that she loved dearly on Harris Brake Lake. She mostly enjoyed being outside gardening, hunting, fishing, spending time with her family on Lake Ouachita and most defiantly a fun night of karaoke. She loved traveling to the beach with her family and truly cherished her trip of a lifetime to Israel with her parents where she was baptized with her sisters in the Jordan River. 

She is survived by her daughter Jamie Lynn Fagan & husband James A. Fagan (Beoudreaux); 3 grandchildren, Brooklyn Vardaman & husband Whit Vardaman, James Tristan Fagan (JT) and Adrianna Joy Fagan; 3 great-grandchildren, Van, Jordon, and Vada Vardaman; 2 loving sisters Carrie Sallee & husband Jerry and Melody Garrett husband Dennis; 4 nephews, Matthew, Jacob & wife Nicole and Bryan Garrett and James Sallee; 1 niece, Sara Sallee; 1 great nephew, Sean Bryson; and 1 great niece, Daesha Bryson . 

However, the list above feels incomplete. If you knew “B” at all then you know it could not possibly reflect all of those that she considered to be her family. If she was anything at all she was most tenacious in her love of her friends and the many that she considered one of “her kiddos”. 

It would be hard pressed to list all of mom’s attributes, but I want to be honest in this, her final memorial. She lived many different lives Our B. She absolutely enjoyed being the life of a good party, but she was also a devout Christian who knew the Word of God and would quote scripture. She was a loving mother and grandmother as well as a good friend and confidant. She was uniquely creative and artistic. She always strived to be eloquent and graceful but was also whimsical, spunky, and quite quirky. She was very driven but marched to the beat of her own drum. Lord knows our B could be exhausting at times but we always knew she loved us. 

To know her was to love her. You just didn’t really have a choice in that. One thing was for sure, if you were loved by her, you were loved deeply, strongly and faithfully. She was without a doubt “Fabulous Darling” 

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, July 13, 2024 at Smith Little Rock Funeral Home; 8801 Knoedl Ct., Little Rock AR 72205. The service will include time for all those that would like to tell a short story or memory you have with “B” If you have a story/memory you would like to share but feel you might be unable to read yourself please submit it here for our officiator Jodie to share on your behalf, www.smithfamilycares.com. In lieu of flowers we ask that donations be made in her name to the Carti Cancer Center of Little Rock, Arkansas.