Editing Gwen Shamblin Lara

{{Short description|American dietitian and cult leader (1955–2021)}}
{{Split|Gwen Shamblin Lara|Remnant Fellowship Church|date=January 2026}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Gwen Shamblin Lara
| image = Gwen Shamblin 2018 (cropped).jpg
| image_size = 
| caption = Lara in 2018
| birth_name = Gwendolyn Kay Henley<ref name="newspapers" />
| other_names = Gwen Shamblin
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2021|05|29|1955|02|18}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1955|02|18}}
| birth_place = [[Memphis, Tennessee]], U.S.
| death_place = [[Percy Priest Lake|Percy Priest Lake, Tennessee]], U.S.
| occupation = {{Hlist|Author|Dietitian}}
| spouse = {{plainlist|
* {{marriage|David Shamblin|1978|2018|reason=divorced}}
* {{marriage|[[Joe Lara]]|2018|2021|end=died}}
}}
| children = 2<ref>{{cite web |title=michaelshamblin.com |url=http://www.michaelshamblin.com/about/ |website=michaelshamblin.com |access-date=June 28, 2018 |archive-date=June 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190625040620/http://www.michaelshamblin.com/about/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=gwenshamblinbooks.com |url=http://gwenshamblinbooks.com/bio/ |website=gwenshamblinbooks.com}}</ref>
| module = 
  {{Infobox writer | embed=yes <!-- for more information see [[:Template:Infobox writer/doc]] -->
 | genre ={{Hlist|Self-help|non-fiction|[[Christian literature]]}}
 | movement = 
 | influences = 
 | influenced = 
 | education = [[University of Tennessee]]
 | website = {{URL|https://www.gwenshamblinlara.com/}}
  }}
}}
'''Gwen Shamblin Lara''' (née Henley; February 18, 1955 – May 29, 2021) was an American church leader known for the Weigh Down Workshop, her [[Christian diet programs|Christian dieting program]]. She founded Remnant Fellowship Church in 1999 and oversaw its ministry until her 2021 [[2021 Percy Priest Lake Cessna Citation crash|death in a plane crash]] together with her husband [[Joe Lara]], who was the pilot, and five other Remnant Fellowship leaders.

Shamblin founded the Weigh Down Workshop in 1986 as a [[registered dietitian]] in [[Memphis, Tennessee|Memphis]]. The program grew to 30,000 participating churches in fifteen years and expanded into product sales and Shamblin's 1997 book, ''The Weigh Down Diet''. Shamblin was criticized for lavish personal spending using proceeds from the ministry.

Remnant Fellowship has been compared to a cult and has been criticized by other Christian groups for denying the doctrine of the [[Trinity]]. It has been accused of encouraging [[corporal punishment]] and was raided by authorities investigating the death of eight-year-old Josef Smith, whose parents Joseph and Sonya Smith were [[Georgia v. Smith|convicted]] in 2007 of [[child abuse]] and [[murder]]. Shamblin and church members publicly supported and paid for the legal defense of the Smiths, who attended Remnant Fellowship. A [[docuseries]] on Shamblin, ''[[The Way Down (TV series)|The Way Down: God, Greed, and the Cult of Gwen Shamblin]]'', was released on [[Max (streaming service)|Max]] in 2021.

Shamblin died on May 29, 2021, when her private jet crashed into [[Percy Priest Lake]].

==Early life==
Shamblin was born Gwendolyn Kay Henley on February 18, 1955 in [[Memphis, Tennessee]] to Walter H. Henley (1926–1981), a general surgeon and Betty (née McNeil; born 1929) Lawrence.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jesse Lawrence Obituary (2009) - Memphis, TN |url=https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/commercialappeal/name/jesse-lawrence-obituary?id=8975487 |website=www.legacy.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Gwen Shamblin Books: Home |url=https://gwenshamblinbooks.com/ |website=gwenshamblinbooks.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Eye-Opening Truth About Gwen Shamblin Lara's Religious Childhood |url=https://www.grunge.com/621487/the-eye-opening-truth-about-gwen-shamblin-laras-religious-childhood/ |website=www.grunge.com |date=October 2021 }}</ref> She was the second youngest of four children with an older brother, an older sister, and a younger brother.<ref>{{cite web |title=Got to spend time with these people this Thanksgiving afternoon. With extended family… These are people who have seen a lot, and I am so grateful for them. From left to right: Carolyn & Don Henley (Gwen's brother), Walt Henley (Gwen's younger brother), Betty Henley Lawrence (Gwen's mother, my "Mimi" who is 95), me, Debra & Rob Scobey (Debra is Gwen's sister and has been like a helping angel to me.) |url=https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid02odP2P8tznzKBcJj6a7LRPBRRXV62WfBK5sgBVZ5Bz6CozamnCuCR5bxsTwGWXiLxl&id=100094376180283 |website=facebook.com}}</ref> Shamblin along with her siblings were raised in a [[Churches of Christ|Church of Christ]] family.<ref name="NelsonCancels">{{cite web |last1=Kennedy |first1=John W. |date=September 11, 2000 |title=Thomas Nelson pulls plug on Gwen Shamblin's book |url=https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/thomas-nelson-pulls-plug-on-gwen-shamblins-book/ |access-date=July 22, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=White |first=Gaule |date=March 31, 1997 |title=Dieting religiously |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/136209218/ |access-date=July 5, 2017 |work=Democrat and Chronicle |page=3C |language=en}}</ref> She earned an [[undergraduate degree]] in [[Dietitian|dietetics]] and a master's degree in food and nutrition with an emphasis in biochemistry from [[University of Tennessee]], in [[Knoxville, Tennessee|Knoxville]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gwenshamblinbooks.com/|title=Williamson County Local Authors|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060131093440/http://lib.williamson-tn.org/Local_Authors/S.htm#_Shamblin,_Gwen|archive-date=January 31, 2006|url-status=dead|access-date=April 25, 2007|work=Williamson County Library}}</ref><ref name="Frazee woman shares">{{Cite news|title=Frazee woman shares personal weight loss story|last=Thorp|first=Lori Frazer|date=January 8, 1998|work=Frazee Forum}}</ref> In college, Shamblin says she struggled with her weight.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hull |first=Dana |date=May 17, 1997 |title=Dieters putting their faith in sustenance of the spirit |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1997/05/17/dieters-putting-their-faith-in-sustenance-of-the-spirit/d514bacc-c4b8-4eb9-a7fa-568354a44f68/ |access-date=July 5, 2017 |newspaper=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}</ref> She worked as a [[registered dietitian]], consultant and a faculty member at [[Memphis State University]] for five years, and began a weight control consulting practice in 1980.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/203907872/|title=Unorthodox diet plan targeted at teens|last=Gang|first=Christine Arpe|date=April 13, 1988|work=Longview News-Journal|access-date=July 5, 2017|page=4C|language=en}}</ref><ref name="Interview with Gwen">{{Cite news|title=Heart & Soul: An interview with Gwen Shamblin, founder of the Weigh Down Workshop|date=February 1999|work=Murfreesboro Matters|issue=3|volume=1|page=3}}</ref> She also worked in the city's [[Tennessee Department of Health]].<ref name="Frazee woman shares" />

== Weigh Down Workshop ==
Shamblin developed a [[Christian diet programs|faith-oriented weight-loss program]] while earning her master's degree at [[University of Memphis|Memphis State University]], and founded the Weigh Down Workshop in 1986.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kleczynski |first=Jennifer Coleridge |date=April 21, 1995 |title=Program helps dieters succeed |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/222544335/ |access-date=July 5, 2017 |work=Strictly Hunterdon |publisher=The Courier-News |page=5 |language=en}}</ref> Shamblin counseled that [[genetics]] and [[behavior modification]] were not enough explanation for why some people were overweight, and hosted the first class in a mall in [[Memphis, Tennessee|Memphis]]<ref name="Divine Intervention">{{cite news |last=Spencer |first=Paula |date=November 22, 1994 |title=Divine Intervention |work=Woman's Day |pages=76, 78}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=April 13, 1997 |title=Dieters seek help in religion |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/159376638/ |access-date=July 5, 2017 |work=The News Journal |pages=J1, J7 |language=en}}</ref> with a strong focus on faith and prayer.<ref name="Wages of Thin">{{Cite news |last=Bell |first=Bill |date=June 17, 1998 |title=The wages of thin: By putting grace before meals, Christian diet programs are reshaping lives |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/nydn-features/wages-thin-putting-grace-meals-christian-diet-programs-reshaping-lives-article-1.792223 |access-date=July 5, 2017 |work=Daily News |location=New York |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Through Prayer">{{Cite news |last=Graham |first=Jennifer |date=December 7, 1994 |title=Weight-loss disciples are shedding the extra pounds through prayer |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/138503800/ |access-date=July 5, 2017 |work=Democrat and Chronicle |pages=1C, 6C |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Wells |first=Valerie |date=May 6, 1995 |title=Weighty matters |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/77357120/ |access-date=July 5, 2017 |work=Herald and Review |language=en}}</ref> The program did not require exercise, calorie-counting, weigh-ins, or food restrictions.<ref name="Leaning on God">{{Cite news |last=Waddle |first=Ray |date=February 27, 1994 |title=Churchgoers leaning on God to shed their unwanted pounds |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/112566660/ |access-date=July 5, 2017 |work=The Tennessean |page=2A |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Ray Waddle">{{Cite news |last=Waddle |first=Ray |date=July 3, 1996 |title=Weigh Down transfers love for food into love for God |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/113393691/ |access-date=July 5, 2017 |work=The Tennessean |pages=1B–2B |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Battle Creek">{{Cite news |last=Associated Press |date=January 3, 1995 |title=God is focus of weight-loss program |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/205898521/ |access-date=July 5, 2017 |work=Battle Creek Enquirer |page=4A |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Whyche |first=Stephanie |date=October 9, 1995 |title=The Weigh to the Lite |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/159455908/ |access-date=July 5, 2017 |work=The News Journal |pages=C1, C4 |language=en}}</ref> It developed into a 12-week seminar guided by video and audio tapes featuring Shamblin.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Johnson II |first=Lucas L. |date=July 18, 1996 |title=Faith helps some people lower weight way down |url=http://www.greensboro.com/faith-helps-some-people-lower-weight-way-down/article_e2d14ec6-826c-5669-abfa-fb62ec1e134b.html |access-date=July 5, 2017 |work=Greensboro News & Record |language=en |agency=Associated Press}}</ref><ref name="Dieting with Jesus">{{Cite news |last=Rosenfeld |first=Megan |date=January 23, 1995 |title=Dieting with Jesus |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1995/01/23/dieting-with-jesus/67735e60-9238-4b4c-9ea2-ae3391d2b677/ |access-date=July 5, 2017 |newspaper=The Washington Post |language=en-US}}</ref> Some experts raised concern over its deviations from [[Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics|American Dietetic Association]] guidance.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Quigley |first=Linda |date=March 1, 1997 |title=Praying away the pounds |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/112841589/ |access-date=July 5, 2017 |work=The Tennessean |pages=1D, 4D |language=en}}</ref>  

The Weigh Down Workshop expanded rapidly in the 1990s, with Shamblin hosting a Memphis-area program at [[Bellevue Baptist Church]] and many other churches and homes<ref name="Leaning on God" /> hosting programs simultaneously.<ref name="Leaning on God" /><ref name="Ray Waddle" /><ref name="Laura Hill">{{Cite news |last=Hill |first=Laura |date=February 10, 1998 |title=In God's own image |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/113428692 |access-date=July 5, 2017 |work=The Tennessean |language=en}}</ref> By 1994, it was offered in about 600 churches in 35 US states,<ref name="Divine Intervention" /> and by January 1995 it reached more than 1,000 churches in 49 states plus Canada and the UK.<ref name="Battle Creek" /> By July 1996, the Weigh Down Workshop was in about 5,000 churches, 10 percent of them in Tennessee.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/285568028|title=Program urges people to turn to God to shed pounds|last=Associated Press|date=July 26, 1996|work=The Daily Spectrum|access-date=July 5, 2017|language=en}}</ref> 

Weigh Down Workshop had a staff of 40 in 1996. The company built a headquarters in [[Franklin, Tennessee]], and Shamblin began hosting an annual summer convention in the [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]] area called Desert Oasis.<ref name="Ray Waddle" /><ref name="Jessi de la Cruz">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/205068421|title=Heavenly help|last=De La Cruz|first=Jessi|date=March 19, 1999|work=Lansing State Journal|access-date=July 5, 2017|language=en}}</ref> By August 1998, it had more than 250,000 participants in more than 21,000 classes across Europe, Canada, and every US state.<ref name="Key to Slimming">{{Cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1998/08/20/christian-diet-programs-nourishing-the-spirit-is-the-key-to-slimming-down-the-body/|title=Christian Diet Programs: Nourishing The Spirit Is The Key To Slimming Down The Body|last=Lauerman|first=Connie|date=August 20, 1998|work=Chicago Tribune|access-date=July 5, 2017|language=en}}</ref><ref name="Ray Waddle" /><ref name="Random House2">{{cite web|url=http://www.randomhouse.com/author/results.pperl?authorid=27826|title=Random House|access-date=February 11, 2010}}</ref> 

=== Writing ===
Shamblin published the 1997 book ''The Weigh Down Diet'', which advised readers to cut food portions in half, eat only when hungry, and transfer the desire for food into love of God.<ref>{{cite news |last=Mulrine |first=Anna |date=April 27, 1997 |title=A Godly Approach to Weight Loss |url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/culture/articles/970505/archive_006847.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130205070344/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/culture/articles/970505/archive_006847.htm |archive-date=February 5, 2013 |access-date=April 6, 2007 |work=[[U.S. News & World Report]]}}</ref> The book sold more than 1.2 million copies and led to further publishing deals.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Booth |first=Claire |date=March 14, 1997 |title=Dietitian says God, not food fills void |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/217232683 |access-date=July 5, 2017 |work=The Times |location=Shreveport, Louisiana |page=2D |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Stein |first=Joel |date=October 24, 1999 |title=The Low-Carb Diet Craze |url=http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,33169-3,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180123225301/http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,33169-3,00.html |archive-date=January 23, 2018 |access-date=July 5, 2017 |magazine=Time |language=en-US |issn=0040-781X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Shamblin |first=Gwen |url=https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/weigh-down-diet_gwen-shamblin/246851/#edition=2382248&idiq=5415077 |title=The Weigh down Diet : The Inspirational Way to Lose Weight, Stay Slim and Find a New You |publisher=The Doubleday Religious Publishing Group |year=1997 |isbn=9780385487627 |publication-date=February 1997 |access-date=September 1, 2021}}</ref>

=== Finances ===
Shamblin was criticized for branding the Weigh Down Workshop as a Christian ministry while profiting significantly and living a lavish lifestyle, driving multiple [[BMW]]s and a [[Mercedes-Benz|Mercedes]] and purchasing a $2.3 million mansion.<ref name="griffith2004">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dGtHZImY4lcC|title=Born Again Bodies: Flesh and Spirit in American Christianity|last=Griffith|first=R. Marie|date=October 4, 2004|publisher=University of California Press|isbn=9780520938113|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite web |date=July 1, 2001 |title=Part 1: Is it a ministry or just big business? |url=http://www.newschannel5.com/Global/story.asp?S=5409134 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224230555/http://www.newschannel5.com/Global/story.asp?S=5409134 |archive-date=February 24, 2012 |website=NewsChannel5.com}}</ref> When a [[WTVF]] reporter asked in 2001 how much money Shamblin was making, she said the amount was "between me and God".<ref name=":1" /> On [[Larry King Live]], she said the Weigh Down Workshop devoted half its proceeds to taxes and put the other half back into the program.<ref name=":1" />

== Remnant Fellowship Church ==
Shamblin founded the '''Remnant Fellowship Church''' in [[Franklin, Tennessee]] in 1999.<ref name="auto">{{cite web |date=September 17, 2020 |title=remnantfellowship.org |url=http://www.remnantfellowship.org/Our-Leaders/Gwen-Shamblin |website=remnantfellowship.org}}</ref> In 2004, the church moved into a new building that had been constructed on 40 acres of land purchased by Shamblin in [[Brentwood, Tennessee]].<ref name="auto" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HO1FBW2aeNA |title=Gwen Shamblin on the Remnant Fellowship Church Construction |date=August 14, 2009 |via=YouTube}}</ref>

Shamblin sent an email to her followers saying that she believed that the doctrine of the [[Trinity]] was not Biblical on August 10, 2000. In response, some evangelical churches dropped her program, [[Thomas Nelson (publisher)|Thomas Nelson Publishers]] canceled the publication of her next book, she was removed from the [[Women of Faith]] website, and some employees left her staff.<ref name="NelsonCancels" />

Shamblin had preached that members should give their money to the Remnant Fellowship church, the only true church, and that all other churches were fraudulent. Remnant Fellowship was compared to a cult.<ref name=":1" />

After her death in 2021, Shamblin's children Michael Shamblin and Elizabeth Shamblin Hannah stated in June 2021 that they will both continue to lead Remnant Fellowship and continue their mother's legacy.<ref>{{cite web |title='Continue the dream': Remnant Fellowship Church founder's children will keep church going after her death |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2021/05/30/remnant-fellowship-church-continue-after-founder-gwen-shamblin-laras-death/5276463001/?fbclid=IwAR1WZ8SdCrFZg5-flDf3uVWjZ4-E5JUNXtis_m-eHf6P3a13LsRvebcnx1w |website=www.tennessean.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Remnant Fellowship releases statement after church leaders killed in plane crash |url=https://foxchattanooga.com/news/local/remnant-fellowship-releases-statement-after-church-leaders-killed-in-plane-crash |website=foxchattanooga.com|date=30 May 2021 }}</ref>   November the same year, Michael left the church and was no longer involved in Remnant Fellowship's operations. This left Elizabeth as the church's sole leader.

In a February 2024 interview, Michael Shamblin described the organisation as a cult.<ref>{{cite web |date=February 12, 2024 |title='What were we doing?' Gwen Shamblin's son breaks silence about life inside her Brentwood 'cult' |url=https://www.newschannel5.com/news/newschannel-5-investigates/what-were-we-doing-gwen-shamblins-son-breaks-silence-about-life-inside-her-brentwood-cult |access-date=17 January 2025 |website=Nashville News Channel 5}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Gwen Shamblin Lara's son says mother's Remnant Fellowship was a 'cult': 'Hard to call it a church' |url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/gwen-shamblin-laras-son-says-late-mothers-church-was-a-cult.html |website=www.christianpost.com|date=21 February 2024 }}</ref>

On November 24, 2025, Michael Shamblin compared the church to [[Scientology]] due to repeated incidents of harassment, stalking, and threats from church leadership toward current and ex-members.<ref>{{cite web |title=“V’s” Experience |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e86OQEMypt0 |website=www.youtube.com}}</ref>

===Remnant Fellowship Church productions===
Shamblin began producing a live Internet show, ''You Can Overcome'', in October 2011 which was filmed in the church.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.remnantfellowship.tv/you-can-overcome/|title=You Can Overcome Show Archives - Remnant Fellowship TV|website=Remnant Fellowship TV|language=en-US|access-date=July 8, 2017}}</ref>

On September 9, 2019, Gwen and her husband Joe began a Youtube series entitled ''Life with Gwen and Joe''.<ref>{{cite web |title="Life with Gwen and Joe" Trailer |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsPH_3WT_0k |website=youtube.com | date=September 9, 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Life with Gwen and Joe Official Youtube Channel |url=https://www.youtube.com/@LifewithGwenandJoe |website=youtube.com}}</ref> The final episode entitled "Honoring the Christian Martyrs" was released on November 20, 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=Honoring the Christian Martyrs - Life with Gwen and Joe |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aa9Jhgu0ko4 |website=youtube.com | date=November 20, 2020 }}</ref>

== Associations with corporal punishment ==
{{main|Georgia v. Smith}}
Shamblin has been accused of promoting [[Corporal punishment in the home|corporal punishment]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Ferrarin |first=Elena |title=Why Gwen Shamblin's Remnant Fellowship Church Was Investigated in a Child's Murder |url=https://www.aetv.com/real-crime/remnant-church-murder |access-date=2024-02-10 |website=A&E |date=October 6, 2022 |language=en}}</ref> She and other Remnant Fellowship members paid for the legal defense of adherents [[Georgia v. Smith|Joseph and Sonya Smith]], who were ultimately convicted of [[child abuse]] and [[murder]] of their eight-year-old son Josef. 

On October 8, 2003, the Smiths punished Josef by placing him in a small wicker box with electrical cords wrapped around the outside holding the lid closed.<ref name="courtTVnews">{{cite web |last=Pordum |first=Matt |date=2007-02-09 |title=Prosecutor says religious parents punished their 8-year-old son to death |url=http://www.courttv.com/trials/smith/020707_ctv.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070219130709/http://www.courttv.com/trials/smith/020707_ctv.html |archive-date=2007-02-19 |access-date=December 29, 2022 |website=Court TV News |publisher=Court TV}}</ref> They then watched an online service from Remnant Fellowship, after which they opened the box and found Josef braindead.<ref name="courtTVnews" /> County medical examiners concluded that the child died as a result of "acute and chronic" abuse. The Smiths routinely beat Josef with foot-long [[Hot-melt adhesive|glue sticks]],<ref name="courtTVnews" /> belts, and heated [[coat hangers]]. Police reported that the couple locked Josef in his room for days or weeks, providing a bucket for bodily waste and a picture of Jesus on the ceiling for him to pray to. Another child in the family, Milek Smith, died 11 weeks before Josef's death, with the cause of death reported variously as [[pneumonia]] or [[SIDS]].<ref name=":0" />

During the investigation of the death, authorities conducted a raid of Remnant Fellowship due to its teachings on child discipline. Church members created a website to advocate the Smiths' innocence, suggesting Josef died of a bacterial infection and that his own skin markings came from scratching his own [[Dermatitis|eczema]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2007-03-29 |title=Church stands by parents convicted of death |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna17842789 |access-date=2025-05-02 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref> ''[[Georgia v. Smith]]'' resulted in the Smiths' conviction in February 2007, and they were sentenced to life plus 30 years in prison on March 27, 2007, the maximum punishment.<ref>{{cite web|title=Smith v. State, 703 S.E.2d 629 – CourtListener.com|url=https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/2110998/smith-v-state/|access-date=2021-10-06|website=CourtListener|language=en-us}}</ref> A member of the church expressed a desire to "support the Smiths in any way possible". The [[Supreme Court of Georgia (U.S. state)|Supreme Court of Georgia]] upheld the convictions in 2010,<ref>{{cite web |title=Archived copy |url=http://www.gasupreme.us/sc-op/pdf/s10a1281.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101116163834/http://www.gasupreme.us/sc-op/pdf/s10a1281.pdf |archive-date=2010-11-16 |access-date=2011-01-27}}</ref> and the [[Supreme Court of the United States]] denied the case in 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Search - Supreme Court of the United States |url=https://www.supremecourt.gov/Search.aspx?FileName=/docketfiles/10-1093.htm |access-date=2025-05-02 |website=www.supremecourt.gov}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Gwen married David Shamblin in January 1978 and together they had two children and nine grandchildren.<ref name=newspapers>{{cite web |title=The Memphis Press-Scimitar Memphis, Tennessee • Thu, Jan 19, 1978 Page 8 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-memphis-press-scimitar/112706757/ |website=www.newspapers.com |date=January 19, 1978 |page=8 }}</ref><ref name="J-AI WotY">{{Cite news |last=Ieron |first=Julie-Allyson |date=January 2000 |title=Women of the Year: Gwen Shamblin |work=Clarity Magazine}}</ref><ref name="auto" /> In 2018, Shamblin filed for divorce from David.<ref>{{cite web |title=Gwen Shamblin - Final Decree of Divorce |url=https://www.scribd.com/document/448514108/Gwen-Shamblin-Final-Decree-of-Divorce |website=www.scribd.com}}</ref> Shamblin became engaged to actor [[Joe Lara]] on June 23, 2018.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Engagement of Gwen Shamblin to Joe Lara |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7SVKHZMXlg |website=youtube.com | date=November 2, 2018 }}</ref> They married in a Remnant Fellowship Church wedding ceremony on August 18, 2018 and becoming the step-mother to Lara's daughter from his previous relationship.<ref>{{cite web |title=Joe Lara Movies – Chronicling The Life And Death Of The Tarzan Actor |url=https://actlings.com/american-actor-joe-lara-life-death/ |website=actlings.com|date=3 June 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Covenant Wedding of Gwen Shamblin to Joe Lara - Remnant Fellowship |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvMX22rMc5o |website=youtube.com| date=November 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gwenshamblin.com/about/|title=About |work=Gwen Shamblin|access-date=August 28, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> In 1996, Shamblin bought Ashlawn, a historic mansion that was built in [[Brentwood, Tennessee]] in 1838.<ref name="million">{{Cite news |last=McCampbell |first=Candy |date=March 11, 1996 |title=You could've had it, for $2.3 million |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/113496856/ |access-date=July 5, 2017 |work=The Tennessean |page=1E |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Ashlawn |url=http://www.brentwood-tn.org/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=417 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100621073800/http://brentwood-tn.org/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=417 |archive-date=June 21, 2010 |access-date=August 11, 2011 |work=City of Brentwood}}</ref>

==Death and legacy==
{{Main|2021 Percy Priest Lake Cessna Citation crash}}

Gwen Shamblin Lara was killed together with her husband Joe, her son-in-law Brandon Hannah, and two other couples from the Remnant Fellowship Church when the Laras' 1982 [[Cessna Citation 501]] private jet [[2021 Percy Priest Lake Cessna Citation crash|crashed]] into [[Percy Priest Lake]] near [[Smyrna, Tennessee]], shortly after takeoff on May 29, 2021.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newschannel5.com/news/plane-crash-reported-on-percy-priest-lake-in-smyrna|title=Plane crashes into Percy Priest Lake; Christian diet guru Gwen Shamblin Lara, 6 others on board, church says|date=May 29, 2021|publisher=WTVF-TV|access-date=May 29, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Romero|first=Dennis|date=May 30, 2021|title=Diet guru Gwen Lara, husband actor Joe Lara among seven killed in plane crash|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/diet-guru-gwen-lara-husband-actor-joe-lara-among-seven-n1269111|publisher=NBC News|language=en-US}}</ref> The [[National Transportation Safety Board]] concluded that the crash was a result of pilot Joe Lara's "loss of airplane control during climb due to [[spatial disorientation]]."<ref>{{cite report |title=Aviation Investigation Final Report |docket=ERA21FA234 |url=https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103165/pdf |website=www.ntsb.gov |publisher=National Transportation Safety Board |date=March 22, 2023 |access-date=September 20, 2024}}</ref>

According to her will, Shamblin did not leave any of her money to the church.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 28, 2021 |title=Gwen Shamblin's will, potentially worth millions, leaves nothing to her Remnant Fellowship church |url=https://www.newschannel5.com/news/newschannel-5-investigates/gwen-shamblins-will-potentially-worth-millions-leaves-nothing-to-her-remnant-fellowship-church}}</ref>

=== Television portrayals ===
A five-part [[docuseries]], ''[[The Way Down (TV series)|The Way Down: God, Greed, and the Cult of Gwen Shamblin]]'', was released on [[Max (streaming service)|Max]] in 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://people.com/human-interest/new-hbo-max-doc-the-way-down-gwen-shamblin-lara/|title=New Trailer for HBO Max Docuseries The Way Down Explores 'Cult' of Late Diet Guru Gwen Shamblin|website=[[People (magazine)|People]]|first=Greta|last=Bjornson|date=September 23, 2021|access-date=September 26, 2021}}</ref>

In 2023, Shamblin was portrayed by [[Jennifer Grey]] in the [[Lifetime (TV channel)|Lifetime]] TV film ''Gwen Shamblin: Starving for Salvation'', which was directed by [[John L'Ecuyer]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Gwen Shamblin: Starving for Salvation - IMDb |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt23668634/ |access-date=September 20, 2024 |website=[[IMDb]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Jennifer Grey says her 'outrageous' look as Gwen Shamblin Lara is meant to send a message |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/movies/jennifer-grey-gwen-shamblin-transformation-movie-rcna68392 |website=www.today.com |date=January 31, 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Jennifer Grey To Play Cult-Like Figure Gwen Shamblin In Lifetime Movie |url=https://deadline.com/2022/11/jennifer-grey-gwen-shamblin-lifetime-1235171805/ |website=deadline.com |date=November 15, 2022 }}</ref>

==Selected works==

===Books===
* {{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/weighdowndiet00sham|url-access=registration|title=The Weigh Down Diet|date=1997|publisher=Doubleday|isbn=9780385487627|language=en}}
* {{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QWmlUkN2ffcC|title=Exodus: Daily Devotional|date=1998|publisher=Weigh Down Workshop|isbn=9781892729002|language=en}}
* {{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/riseabovegodcans00sham|url-access=registration|title=Rise Above: God Can Set You Free from Your Weight Problems Forever|date=2000|publisher=Thomas Nelson|isbn=9780785268765|language=en}}
* {{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=y5_JkQEACAAJ|title=Out of Egypt: Inspiration for Conquering Life's Strongholds|date=2000|publisher=Thomas Nelson|isbn=9780785268499|language=en}}
* {{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SVUcPQAACAAJ|title=The Legend to the Treasure|date=2007|publisher=Weigh Down Workshop|isbn=9781892729804|language=en}}
* {{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=y8SQmwEACAAJ|title=Weigh Down Basics: Workbook|date=2012|publisher=Weigh Down Workshop|isbn=9781892729132|language=en}}
* {{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=M0x8kgEACAAJ|title=History of the One True God Workbook: Volume 1: the Origin of Good and Evil|date=2013|publisher=Weigh Down Workshop|isbn=9781892729170|language=en}}
* {{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zehAjgEACAAJ|title=History of the Love of God: Volume II: A Love More Ancient Than Time|date=2015|publisher=Weigh Down Ministries|isbn=9781892729262 |language=en}}

===Other media===
* {{Citation|title=Exodus out of Egypt: weigh down workshop|year=1992|publisher=Weigh Down Workshop|language=en|oclc=42869110}} 
* {{Citation|title=Rising above: the magnetic pull of the refrigerator|year=1992|publisher=Weigh Down Workshop, Inc.|language=en|oclc=42414509}} 
* {{Citation|title=Exodus from strongholds|year=1998|publisher=Weigh Down Workshop|language=en|isbn=1892729075|oclc=51290468}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15286764/ IMDB Entry TV/Miniseries 2021-] link Retrieve September 20, 2021

{{Authority control}}

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[[Category:1955 births]]
[[Category:2021 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century American non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:20th-century American women writers]]
[[Category:21st-century American non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:21st-century American women writers]]
[[Category:Accidental deaths in Tennessee]]
[[Category:American women founders]]
[[Category:American founders]]
[[Category:American women non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:American women religious leaders]]
[[Category:Founders of new religious movements]]
[[Category:Nontrinitarian Christians]]
[[Category:Protestant writers]]
[[Category:Religious leaders from Memphis, Tennessee]]
[[Category:University of Memphis alumni]]
[[Category:University of Tennessee alumni]]
[[Category:Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in 2021]]
[[Category:Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in the United States]]
[[Category:Women Christian religious leaders]]