Audra June Penell

Audra June Penell of Van Buren, Arkansas, died Friday, July 4, 2025, at Heart of Hospice Unit in Fort Smith, Arkansas. She was born on July 3, 1942, in Coffeyville, Kansas, to the late Aubrey Alonzo Penell and Blanche Elinor (Thiele) Penell Sherman. She was 83 years old. She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved step-father, Gus Fred Sherman; a brother-in-law, John Strickland; and a nephew, Michael Strickland.

For many years, Audra was a childcare provider and was of the Lutheran faith.

She is survived by a daughter, Hellen (Kathy) Nichols and husband Jesse of Van Buren; two sons, J. Scott Hickerson of Broken Bow, Oklahoma, and Sherman Hickerson and wife Brandy of Golden, Oklahoma; a sister, Hellen Strickland of Kansas; nine grandchildren, Cathleen Nicole Nichols, Jesse Paul Nichols, III, Victoria Junee’ Nichols, Colten Wade Nichols, Elijah Blaze Nichols, Ty Hickerson, Sloan Hickerson, Destini Hickerson, Rayn Hickerson; one great-granddaughter, Aliana Von Nichols; nephews, Jon Strickland, Chris Strickland, and Terry Strickland; and special close friends, Tony and Cathy Martinez, Butch and Loma Clause, and Richie and Yvonne Jones.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Brotherton Brothers Cremation Services in Fort Smith, 914 N. 32nd St. Fort Smith, AR 72903. (479) 434-3901 or (479) 965-8202

To place an online tribute, please visit www.brothertonbrothersfuneralhomes.com.

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