Sally Diane Mollenkopf, age 86 of Atkins, died peacefully Friday, June 26, 2026, at her home surrounded by loved ones. She was born August 8, 1939, in Muncie, Indiana, to Richard Leroy and Nellie M. VanLue Scott.

"The meaning of life is that we are here to learn"

Known as Pollyanna Sally (or Sallyanna) for her eternal optimism, she made everybody with whom she interacted a better person. Sally shared 20 years with husband Evan Mollenkopf, where they built a life together in Mountain Home, AR and benefited from a deep network of loving friends. She was a wonderful mother to sons Jamie and Jon, always encouraging them in their various stages of life, and providing love and guidance as they built their own families over the years. Over the span of her life she had a total of 22 Scottie dogs that received unwavering love from her – many of her acquaintances affectionately referred to her as the "Scottie Lady". She began her studies at Purdue University, and finished her B.A. in English Literature at UCLA in 1962. She remained a strong advocate of education, serving as a grammar school teacher in Manhattan Beach,CA in her early years, to later volunteering at the Twin Lakes Literacy Council in Mountain Home, AR.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband, Evan M. Mollenkopf; and her brother, Andy L. Scott.

She is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, James and Michele McElvain, of Thousand Oaks, California, and Jon and Julie McElvain of Manhattan Beach, California; a sister, Suzan Teeters of LaBelle, Florida; four grandchildren, Mason, Cody, Ryan and Drew McElvain; three nieces, Brenda Winchell, Diana Faul and Cindy Sloan; three nephews, Randy Scott, and Luke and Joel Gonser; and her beloved dog, Sir Schwartz.

No services are planned, and it was Sally's sincere wish to have friends and family remember her with a smile, and pass to others the positivity that she brought to the world.

Arrangements are by Shinn Funeral Service of Russellville.

Online guestbook and condolences available at www.shinnfuneral.com.