Kenneth Irvin Caery

Kenneth Irvin Caery, 77, of Manila, died Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, at his home. Born in the Blackwater Community near Manila, he attended Blackwater School and was a 1948 graduate of Manila High School. He also attended Arkansas State University and was a graduate of California Baptist College where he earned a B.A. Degree. He then pastured churches in California and Arkansas and was a retired general contractor.

Caery was a former resident of Texarkana and Searcy and returned to Manila in 1999.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Griffin Caery in March of 2008.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a brother, W.W. Caery, Jr., and a sister, Wandara Burgett.

Survivors include two sons, Jon Caery and his wife, Victoria, of Clarksville and Kent Caery of Texarkana; three step-daughters, Deborah Bowes of Northrop, Col., Rebecca Lappin of Harrisburg, Mo., and Susan Croce of St. Louis, Mo.; two brothers, Jerry Caery, Sr. of Elaine and Charles Caery of DeKalb, Texas; three sisters, Ora Lee Castleman of San Jose, Calif., Willie B. Whitney of Manila, and Trudene Hatcher of Covington, Tenn.; three grandchildren, Kirk Caery, Grace Caery and Aley Caery; and a great-grandchild, Zoey Caery; and eight step-grandchildren.

The funeral was held at 2 p.m. Friday at the Howard Funeral Chapel in Manila with Dr. Guy Whitney, Jr., Rev. Ferrel Duffel, and Rev. William Piercy officiating. Burial was in the Manila Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers were Jeff Hatcher, Sam Caery, Jerry Caery, Jr., Marv Whitney, Don Nunnally, Bobby Scott, R.J. Bennett and Keith Bennett.

To sign the online guest register, log on to www.howardfuneralservice.com.