Edward Calvin Carthan

Edward Calvin Carthan was born on February 22, 1938, in Parloma, Arkansas. He was the son of Zella Mae Hearn. “Ed” as he was commonly known was a 1959 graduate of Howard County Training School in Tollette, Arkansas.

Ed married the beautiful Aline Thomas in April of 1971. They made their home in Okolona, Arkansas where they raised seven children. He was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. He worked for the Arkansas State Highway Department in various positions until his retirement.

He enjoyed the simple pleasure that life offered and while Aline busied herself, quilting, canning, and taking care of her cats and dogs; he made sling-shots and homemade deer horns.  He spent countless hours watching his wife fish while he told wild and hilarious stories. He loved listening to blues by his favorite artist BB King and passionately loved his children and grandchildren. 

His passing leaves a huge void in the hearts of those that knew and loved him. He was preceded in death by his mother, great-grandson, Eric Pearson, and his beloved wife, Aline Thomas Carthan (January 17, 1940-January 15, 2018).

Memories will live on with his children, Calvin (Cynthia) Lee of Nashville, AR, Bobby Dixon (Patricia Lambert) of Prescott, AR, Clara Dixon of Okolona, AR, Debbie Thomas of Arkadelphia, AR, Lewis Carthan of Nashville, AR, James (Majornell) Burton of Murfreesboro, AR and Mary Ann Carthan of Arkadelphia; 14 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren. He also leaves his sisters-in-law, Lois Johnson of Brunswick, GA, and Charlene Leeper of Okolona, AR; brothers-in-law, John L. Adams, Sr., of Okolona, AR and Charlie “Bill” (Doris) Thomas of Flint, MI; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. 

Public visitation will be held on Friday, July 9, 2021, from noon until67:00 p.m. at Williams Funeral Home. Services will be held graveside at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 10, 2021, at Pleasant Grove Cemetery with Rev. Rufus Hatley serving as eulogist.

Pallbearers will be Remond Thomas, Greg McGhee, John Adams, Jr., Mark Brazil, Robert Gulley, Don Leeper, Pete McDaniel, and Henry McDaniel. Honorable to mention are Cornelius Dixon, Greg Young, Braeden Thomas, Calvin Lee, Bobby Dixon, Allen Burton, and Lewis Carthan.

Public visitation will be held on Friday, July 9, 2021 from 12 noon until 6:00 p.m. at Williams Funeral Home. Services will be held graveside at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 10, 2021 at Pleasant Grove Cemetery with Rev. Rufus Hatley serving as eulogist.

Pallbearers will be Remond Thomas, Greg McGhee, John Adams, Jr., Mark Brazil, Robert Gulley, Don Leeper, Pete McDaniel, and Henry McDaniel. Honorable to mention are Cornelius Dixon, Greg Young, Braeden Thomas, Calvin Lee, Bobby Dixon, Allen Burton and Lewis Carthan.