Charles Russell Caery

Charles Russell Caery, 85, of DeKalb, Texas, died at his home Saturday, May 2, 2009, after a lengthy illness. Mr. Caery was born May 28, 1923, at Manila. He was the oldest of the eight children of W.W. and Opal Caery. The Caerys moved to the Black Water Community when Charles was two years old. During his early years, Charles farmed, served in the Army Air Corps in World War II, and worked with his father in all of his endeavors. During these years, he was an active member of the Black Water Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and song director. His education included Black Water High School, Southern Baptist College at Walnut Ridge, Arkansas State College, and California College at Riverside, Calif.

After he was ordained at the Black Water Baptist Church, Charles served as pastor of many churches in Arkansas -- Delaplaine, Valley View in Harrisburg, Calvary in Harrisburg, West Side in Manila and Friendship in Marianna. When he no longer served as a pastor, he lived at his home in DeKalb, did supply preaching and served as a Sunday School teacher at the Malta Baptist Church.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Eulin Wayne Reynolds, his three siblings, Walt, Jr., Wandara, and Kenneth.

Survivors include his wife, Eula Mae of the home; a daughter, Sundi of Texarkana; a brother, Jerry Caery, Sr., and his wife, Frances of Elaine; three sisters, Ora Lee Castleman of Campbell, Calif., Willie Vel Whitney of Manila, and Trudene and Tommy Hatcher of Covington, Tenn.; and two special friends, H.O. and Ima Faye Russell of DeKalb, Texas.

Honored to serve as active pallbearers are Sam Caery, Kent Carey, Kirk Caery, Jerry Caery, Jr., Brian Caery, Heath Reynolds, Lonnie Wayne Reynolds and Craig Harvey.

Honorary pallbearers are members of the Cross Bearers Sunday School Class at the Malta Baptist Church.

Services were held at 10 a.m. Monday at the Malta Baptist Church under the direction of Bates Rolf Funeral Home of DeKalb with Rev. Shawn Bailey, Rev. James Boyd, and Rev. Wayne Stringer officiating. Burial was 11 a.m. May 5 in the Sunset Cemetery at Barton, Ark. Officiating at the graveside services were Charles's nephews, Rev. Sam Caery and Dr. Guy M. Whitney, Jr.

Visitation was held Sunday evening at the Bates Rolf Funeral Home in DeKalb.

Lasting memorial may be made to Opportunities Incorporated, 6101 North State Line Avenue, Texarkana, Texas 75503, or to Black Water Baptist Church in Manila, Ark. 72442.

Online registration at batesrolffuneralhome.com.