Cullen Ray Gulley, Sr.

February 21, 1950 — May 31, 2018

Cullen Ray Gulley, Sr., was born in Bluff City, Arkansas on February 21, 1950. He was the 3rd child of five children born to Collen and Pearlie Mae Gill Gulley. Raised in a Christian home, he carried those values with him throughout his life. Cullen Ray accepted Christ as his personal Savior as a little boy and united with the Union Grove Baptist Church family. He was a life-long member who served and attended regularly until his health began to decline.

He received his formal education beginning Nevada county and was a 1968 graduate of Prescott High School. The independent spirit, strong character of Cullen Ray would be the genesis of his legacy and life.

Cullen Ray; like many young black men in the area at that time worked as a logger and eventually branched off and started his own logging business. He was an avid hunter and loved the outdoors. He was a member of the Soul Brothers Deer Camp. He enjoyed quiet times whether it was hunting, fishing or just sitting in his truck. He made friends easily and was always known to be mild tempered and humble. He was always a devoted husband, father and grandfather; no sacrifice was too great for his family. His height, strength and last name made him a much-respected man. Simply put, he was a great man.

He married Jearlene Holmes Gulley on May 9, 1998 bringing together a beautiful blended family of children and grandchildren. They were married for 18 years until her passing on August 28, 2016. After her death he moved to Gurdon with Stephanie and on Thursday, May 31, 2018, he passed from this life with his family at his side.

His passing leaves a great void in the lives of those who knew and loved him. Cullen Ray was preceded in death by his daughter, Shajar Lynette Gulley (1971); parents, Pearlie Mae Gulley (1999) and Collen Gulley (2006); a step-son, Eric Lockhart (2006); his brother, Johnny Ray Gulley (2015) and his wife, Jearlene Gulley (2016).

Though he is no longer with us in body, and his irreplaceable presence will be deeply missed. He leaves his children, Stephanie Gulley Moore (Marcus), Tara Gulley-McClelland (Stanley), Cullen Ray Gulley, Jr.(Tammy), all of Gurdon, AR, Joycelyn Gulley of Camden, AR and Dexter Sims of Hot Springs, AR; grandchildren, Taurean Gulley (Kia), Kiana Moore, Jabria Barrett, Cullen Ray Gulley, III, and Cameron Gulley; great-grandchildren, Brenley Gulley, Camia Gulley and Cardale Gulley; his step-children, Richard Lockhart of Fordyce, AR, Olivia Lockhart (Kenneth Belin) of Camden, AR and Faith Lockhart of Chidester, AR; 13 step-grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren; his siblings, Willis (Emma) Gulley of Rockford, IL, Frankie (Evelyn) Gulley of Chidester, AR and Carolyn (George) Smith of Prescott, AR; a special sister-in-law, JerlineGulley; other sisters-in-law, Jean (Herbert) Dumas, Cora Gulley, Aquilla Morris, Sarah Bell, Vanessa Parker, Johnnie Webb and Benfadine (Andrew) Garrison; his bonus children whom he loved as his own, Michael (Johanna) Barnes, Jacqueline (Aaron) Barnes, Kasaundra (James) Blake and their families, Latori Sanders and Glenda Lenox Copeland. He also leaves several nieces, nephews, other family members and numerous friends.

Public visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 5, 2018 from 12 noon until 7:00 p.m. at Williams Funeral Home. A celebration of his life will be shared on Wednesday, June 6, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. at Union Grove Baptist Church, Rev. Larry Hines, pastor and eulogist. Interment will be at Union Grove Cemetery in Bluff City, Arkansas.

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Service Schedule

Past Services

Public Visitation

Tuesday, June 5, 2018

Ends at 7:00 pm (Central time)

Williams Funeral Home

1517 Caddo St, Arkadelphia, AR 71923

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Celebration of Life

Wednesday, June 6, 2018

Starts at 1:00 pm (Central time)

Union Grove Baptist Church

103 Co Rd 412, Bluff City, AR 71857