Laura Clopton dies at the age of 86
by January 14, 2018 10:01 pm 698 views
The late Dr. Owen Clopton and his wife, Laura.
The matriarch of one of the most influential families in the healthcare industry in Northeast Arkansas has passed away.
Laura Jean Shemwell Clopton, 86, died Wednesday (Jan. 10) at St Bernard’s Medical Center after a brief illness. Clopton was born April 28, 1931, in Folsomdale, Ky., to Alva Lou (Wood) Shemwell and Henry Claude Shemwell. She graduated from Melber High School and Murray State University. After graduation, Laura taught Home Economics and third grade at schools in Cairo, Ill., and in Little Rock.
She was married to Dr. Owen Hobson Clopton, Jr. on June 27, 1954 in Oak Level, Kentucky. They moved to Jonesboro in 1965 with their two daughters. Dr. Clopton started a private practice, Internal Medicine, Associates, now called Clopton Clinic in honor of Dr. Clopton.
“Laura was a fine Christian lady. She was very supportive of Dr. Clopton in everything he did for his patients. They raised two very accomplished daughters. She was a very pleasant, positive person. She will be missed,” said Beverly Nix Stone, CEO of St. Bernards Healthcare Associated Regional Providers (SHARP). Nix worked with the Cloptons for more than 25 years.
Clopton was a longtime member of Southwest Church, where she taught Bible class and volunteered in the food pantry. Clopton loved to spend time with her grandchildren. She was an avid painter and played the piano. In her spare time, she enjoyed bird watching, fishing, reading, sewing, and crochet.
She is survived by two daughters, Dr. Claudia L. Clopton of Denver, Colorado and Dr. Laura Dale Bischof, (John) St. Paul, Minnesota, and grandchildren: Aiden Carley-Clopton, Inge Claudine Bischof, and Theodora Jean Bischof. She is survived by nieces Debbie Hamby and Barbara Reed, and nephew Wood Shemwell, Jr. In addition, she is survived by a multitude of great nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband; parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Claude Shemwell; three siblings, Claudine Shemwell Powers, William Wood Shemwell Sr., and Anna Lou Shemwell; and two nephews, Michael and Patrick Powers.
A memorial service was held Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018. Donations may be made in Clopton’s name to Children’s Homes, 5515 Walcott Road, Paragould Arkansas 72450-3319 or St. Bernards Development Foundation, Women’s and Children’s Services, 400 East Street, Jonesboro Arkansas 72401-9929.