Ouachita Stories

Shelby Seabaugh, a junior Christian studies/philosophy major at Ouachita Baptist University from Magnolia, died unexpectedly March 27.

Shelby, 21, is survived by her parents, Dr. Michael and Laurie Seabaugh, and her siblings, Haydn and Gracen. Dr. Seabaugh, a 1985 Ouachita graduate, is pastor of Central Baptist Church in Magnolia. She also is survived by her fiancé, Joshua Cassidy, and her grandparents, Dr. Rodney and Rosemary Griffin of Magnolia and Wayne and Glenda Seabaugh of Hot Springs Village.

Shelby was involved in a number of campus organizations at Ouachita, including the Ouachita Student Foundation, EEE women’s social club and Pruet Sisterhood. A Tiger Network Leadership Award recipient, she also was involved in the Carl Goodson Honors Program and was on the Dean’s List.

Recalling that “Shelby was excited about coming to Ouachita,” President Rex Horne said, “Her smile and enthusiasm about Ouachita was contagious. Now for nearly three years on campus, I saw her smile and felt her joy of being in this special place.”

Affirming the Seabaugh family’s commitment to “faithfully serving the Lord,” he said, “We will all pray for the Seabaugh family. We all feel a depth of sorrow and want to help shoulder the burden of grief. It’s certainly a loss to Ouachita.

“There is also gratitude,” Dr. Horne added. “Because of Jesus' resurrection, this is not a final goodbye, but a brief time until we'll see Shelby again. In the meantime, we will cling to the One who gives life, forgiveness of sin and hope.”

“Shelby Seabaugh had an infectious smile, a genuine love for people and a passion for Christ,” said Dr. Scott Jackson, associate professor of Christian ministries in Ouachita’s Pruet School of Christian Studies. “She truly displayed a contagious Christian faith.

“Recently, Shelby taught a Bible study in my Communicating the Gospel class,” he reflected. “Her passage was from Colossians 1:15-20 which reads in part, ‘And he (Jesus) is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.’ Shelby taught with great humor, theological savvy and passion for Jesus. She knew Him well and loved Him dearly. I’m thankful that today she is in His glorious presence.”

Visitation will be held Tuesday, April 1, 6-8 p.m., at Lewis Funeral Home, 420 N. Jackson St., Magnolia. The memorial service will be Wednesday, April 2, at 2 p.m., at Central Baptist Church, 207 W. Union St., Magnolia. A memorial service for the university community will be held Thursday, April 3, at 3:30 p.m., in Jones Performing Arts Center on the Ouachita campus. Memorial gifts may be made to Ouachita Baptist University, Camp Siloam Springs or Central Baptist Church of Magnolia.

This marks the second tragedy to impact the Ouachita campus in less than a week. Andrew Hernandez, a 2012 Ouachita graduate, died March 22 in a single-car accident.

Andrew, 25, was the manager of TaMolly’s Mexican Restaurant in Arkadelphia. He is survived by his parents, Andres Hernandez Mendoza and Servanda Jacinto Lopez, as well as three brothers, Oscar Hernandez, David Noriega and Damian Noriega, and three sisters, Mariela Hernandez, Edith Hernandez and Valeria Torres, a freshman at Ouachita. His mother works on Ouachita’s building services staff.

Andrew’s obituary affirmed that he “filled everyone around him with love, laughter and care,” adding that “he will be remembered by his generosity and infectious smile.”

His memorial service was held March 29 at Second Baptist Church of Arkadelphia.

By Trennis Henderson, Vice President for Communications