Ellen Kay Goolsby

Ellen Kay Mosley Goolsby, age 85, of Hot Springs, Arkansas, formerly of Sheridan, Arkansas, passed away May 7, 2026 at National Park Medical Center in Hot Springs.  Kay was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, September 2, 1940, to parents, William Earl and Sarah Ellon Jordan Mosley.

Kay graduated from Sheridan High School in 1958 where she was a member of the National Honor Society, Quill & Scroll, and was a member of the SHS Annual Staff where she was co-editor of “The Yellowjacket,” the school yearbook. She graduated in 1962 from Henderson State Teachers College, now known as Henderson State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Education degree and was a member of the Future Business Leaders of America. Kay taught business classes at Sheridan Junior High School and high school students in her 20 years at both Ridge Road Junior High School, North Little Rock, Arkansas, and at Sheridan Junior High School, Sheridan. She also served as a bookkeeper for 19 years in the Sheridan School District Administration Accounting Department.

She discontinued teaching after twenty years of service and began volunteering as an assistant at the Grant County Museum in Sheridan which her husband had founded and served as museum director for many years.

Kay was a founding member and also served as President of Beta Epsilon Chapter, Delta Kappa Gamma Society and had been a member of PEO. She had also been a member of the Arkansas and National Education Associations. Among recognitions she received were Arkansas Volunteer Award, Service Award presented by Sheridan Public Schools, and co-recipient along with her husband of a Service Award presented by Grant County Chamber of Commerce.

She was a former member of the German Shepherd Dog Club of America and of the German Shepherd Dog Club of Little Rock where she served as show secretary and in several offices of the Shepherd Dog Club of America and in 1977 she was selected as AKC Judge for the Helper Dog. She began in 1965 when she and her husband got their first German Shepherd and continued throughout her life. They owned many German Shepherd Dogs over the years which they showed in American Kennel Club sanctioned events. They also owned and showed Petit Basset Griffons Vendéens and won many awards with both breeds. Although they did not show them, they also loved and had owned beautiful AKC Shih Tzu.

Mrs. Goolsby was preceded in death by her parents and her husband of 58 years, Erwin Goolsby whom she married in 1965. Following her marriage to her best friend they both began their tenure as teachers in the Sheridan School District.

There will be no visitation or funeral according to Kay’s wishes. Burial will be private in Sheridan Cemetery. Those wishing to honor Kay’s memory are asked to consider making a donation to the Grant County Museum, 521 Shackleford Road, Sheridan, AR 72150 or to the pet rescue society of your choice.