of Little Rock, AR
October 17, 1965 - January 23, 2015
Karyl Suzanne Bearden, 49, of Little Rock, passed away January 23, 2015 at home surrounded by family after a courageous battle with cancer.
She was born October 17, 1965 in Arcadia, Florida to Doug and Pat Johnson, who were life-long educators. Following in their footsteps, Karyl had a career in education for over 26 years. She was a classroom teacher for the North Little Rock School District and a Literacy Specialist for the Arkansas Department of Education, where she pursued her dream of teaching and working in the education field. One of her favorite quotes was "each one teach one" because she believed that education was a key component in bettering an individual's life. While teaching was her career, her greatest passion was being a wife to her husband, Richard, and a mother to her children: Ashley, Jordan, and James.
Karyl was the center of our family, always making sure that her children had a good education, strong work ethic, and an appreciation for the unique bond our family shares. Karyl loved cooking for her family and turned Sunday family meals into a cherished tradition as a time to enjoy fellowship and great food. Always on the go, Karyl treasured the time she spent gardening with Richard, taking annual trips to Destin with the family, and cheering for the Razorbacks.
She was selfless, fun-loving, and always knew how to put a smile on your face. Her strength, bravery, and optimism were unparalleled and at times contagious. Karyl was a member of Our Lady of the Holy Souls Catholic Church, was an active participant on the Arkansas Literacy Council, and served on various education committees throughout her long career.
She will be greeted in Heaven by infant daughter, Lauren Sarah Catherine Bearden; her parents, Doug and Pat Johnson; and her brother-in-law, David Bearden. Her spirit will live on through her husband of 26 years, Richard; daughters, Ashley (Maumelle) and Jordan (Washington, DC); son, James (Fayetteville); her brother, Christopher and wife, Beni; nephew, Tanner Johnson (Houston); her in-laws, Lawrence and Ann Bearden; nephew, Mark Bearden (Smackover); and a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins from the Helton, Tanner, Bearden, Reeder, King, Clayborn, Fisher, Foster, Mosley, Payne, and Tuberville families.
A family rosary will be held on Tuesday, January 27, 2015 from 5:00-5:30 P.M. followed by the family receiving friends from 5:30 7:00 P.M. at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, AR 72211, (501)224-8300. Funeral mass will be held at 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, January 28 at Our Lady of the Holy Souls Catholic Church, 1003 North Tyler Street, Little Rock (501)663-8632. Father Tom Marks will officiate. Burial will follow at 3:00 P.M. at Camden Memorial Park Cemetery, Camden, Arkansas. Immediately following the burial, the family will receive friends from 4:00-5:00 P.M. in the Fellowship Hall of Timothy Methodist Church, Magnolia Highway, Camden, Arkansas.
In lieu of flowers, her family requests donations in Karyl's memory to the Cancer Institute Foundation Fund to support cancer research at UAMS Rockefeller Cancer Center, 4301 West Markham #623F, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205.
On behalf of Karyl, her family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Shirley Ong and her staff at UAMS for the care and support given to Karyl during her treatment there.
"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire." - William Butler Yeats
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44 Condolence(s)
Susan Grogan
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
I worked with Karyl many times writing Effective Literacy or ELLA trainings for teachers all over Arkansas, as well as many ADE Literacy Specialists meetings and activities. She was intelligent and witty and always pulled her weight in our cooperative work. She was a delight to be with. I am so sorry to learn of her passing and pray for comfort and happy memories for her family.
Gail Phelps
Sunday, February 1, 2015
Karyl was a very special person. She had such a warm smile and she touched the heart of many. She will be missed. May God bless her family with wonderful memories.
Lisa Murphy McGee
Saturday, January 31, 2015
Richard, I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my prayers.
Kathleen Cargill
Friday, January 30, 2015
Thank you Karyl for being and excellent role model to all of us in the field of education. You will not be forgotten!
With love and admiration,
Kathleen
Jose Cruz
Thursday, January 29, 2015
My deepesst condolences to you and family. I grew up with Karyl in RGV, heard the news from mutual friend and wanted to share with you how nice Karyl was to be around as a childhood friend and through high school and band.
Rob Calhoun
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Richard, I'm so sorry for your loss, old friend. You and your family are absolutely in my thoughts and prayers.
Lynn Birchfield
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Richard and family, my prayers and love to all of you. May God give you grace, strength and comfort in the days to come.
Sharon Gates
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Karyl was such a beautiful person. I had the pleasure of working with her through ADE and recall the first time I met her. As we sat together talking about literacy , I was drawn to her passion for children , her knowledge about literacy, but most of all her smile and her personality . She was a true angel and I am happy to have known her and learned from her! My prayers go out to all the Bearden family ! Cherish the memories. God bless you and bring comfort to you!
Jaunita Corley Pyle
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
You and your family are in my prayers. So sorry for your loss!
Ken and Karen Robinson
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Richard,
Very, very sorry to hear about your loss. We will keep you in our prayers.
Larry Boccarossa
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Richard, I'm truly sorry for your loss of Karyl. Please accept my deepest condolences and prayers.
Betsy Pruss
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I had the pleasure of working with Karyl through ADE. We shared a lot of the same interests, and I considered her to be a wonderful friend. She spoke of you all with such love and admiration.
Debbie Gentry
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Karyl, may you rest in eternal peace. Thank you for blessing so many lives with your loving presence. Your legacy lives on in your beautiful family. It was a joy to know you sweet friend.
Karen Glkey
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Richard I'm so sorry to hear of the passing of your wife.
She sounds like she was a wonderful person. Those we love who pass away live on in us through our memories and our character.
My deepest sympathies are with you and your children at this time of grieving.
Kelly Harbert
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Richard, I just want you to know that I'm so sorry for your loss. You & Your family are in my thoughts & prayers!!! Please know I'm thinking of you during this difficult time! God Bless You & Your Family!
Debbie Andrews McCorkindale
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
The Bearden Family, our hearts go out to you. Please know that you will be in our prayers. In His Love, Debbie and Kevin McCorkindale
Nikki irby
Monday, January 26, 2015
Extending my deepest sympathy to the Beardon family for thier loss of a beautiful wife and loving mother. She always spoke so proudly of her family, whom she cherished! She was a beautiful person on the inside and out! May you find peace in the comfort of knowing that she is finally at rest after a GOOD, long fight! May God bless you and keep you!, Nikki Irby (Karyl's hairstylist)
Cindy Sibley
Monday, January 26, 2015
Karyl was a true example of love!!! She truly loved her family and her work for the children of Arkansas
Patrice Nowak
Monday, January 26, 2015
I knew Karyl many years ago when her children were small when I was the director of Holy Souls Daycare. She was kind, thoughtful and her family was always first and foremost. I had the pleasure of running into her two years ago at an education meeting. She was every bit as beautiful and kind as I remembered. She was an angel on earth. My heart goes out to all of her family.
Merica Howie
Monday, January 26, 2015
Karyl was a joy to work with and will be missed by many. I will always remember the way she'd light up when talking about her children. She was so very proud of each of you!
Cindy Sibley
Monday, January 26, 2015
I loved Karyl so much!!! She was an inspiration to all who knew her
John and Joyce Walker
Monday, January 26, 2015
Richard.
We were sorry to learn of Karyl's death. Please know that we are praying for you and your familly.
May God grant you comfort and peace during this time of grief
With our love,
John and Joyce Walker
Kimmie Brock
Monday, January 26, 2015
My heartfelt thought & prayers o out to the entire family. May God surround you all with his loving arms in the days to come.
O. D. Turner
Monday, January 26, 2015
I pray the Bearden family is comforted in the assurance that, as a Christian, Karyl is not a part of your past; she is a part of your future.
Jacki Stafford
Monday, January 26, 2015
Karyl was one of the most beautiful people I had the privilege of knowing. No matter how bad she felt she always greeted me with a smile and a hug. I will miss her smiling face and gentle spirit.
She brought peace and laughter to everyone that knew her. God bless her and keep her.
Glenda Peacock
Monday, January 26, 2015
So very sorry to hear about Karyl, Your family is in my prayers.
Margaret Woods
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Condolences to the Bearden family. Will keep you all in our prayers.
Laura Abbott
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Dear Bearden family,
We are so sorry for your loss. Your family is in our prayers.
With sympathy,
The Abbott Family
Rhonda Harnish
Sunday, January 25, 2015
I was so sorry to learn that Karyl has left us. Her wisdom will be missed by fellow educators. Karyl did a wonderful job of helping teachers teach children. She was very passionate about literacy. Prayers to all of her family. May God Bless All of You.
Sandy Schwartz
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Karyl's smile and greeting "Hey Sandy. How are you?" no matter how she felt, she was concerned about me. When she asked how I was, she really wanted to know. She was beautiful on the outside, but her inner beauty was genuine, sweet and caring. I was blessed to know her. May she be at peace now...and your memories of her give you peace.
Donna Butler Turnet
Sunday, January 25, 2015
So sorry to hear of Karyl's passing. We were roommates at UCA.
Pamela McCurry
Sunday, January 25, 2015
My thoughts and prayers are with the family. Karyl has always been such a special person inside and out. I am truly sad to hear of her passing.
Jerry Vaughn
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Karyl always brought a positive outlook and contagious smile when working with school teams, teachers and students. She was passionate about literacy and worked to make a difference in the lives of children. She will be missed by the education community. Prayers of support for family and friends during this difficult time.
The Malzewski Family
Sunday, January 25, 2015
We are so very sorry to hear about Karyl's passing... She fought a hard and courageous battle...We are lifting up the Bearden Family in our prayers during this difficult time
Alan, Bonnie, Caroline Clay and Mary Millicent (the Malzewski Family)
Janie Bearden McMahen
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Continued prayers for all of you.
Kathy Sadler
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Richard and family,
I am deeply sorry for your loss. Karyl was a dear friend with such great strength. I will keep your family in my prayers.
Kathy Sadler
.
Joe Franks
Sunday, January 25, 2015
We have lost a truly great educator... My heart goes out to her family. Praying....
Denise Morbit
Sunday, January 25, 2015
James, I saw you at Mass today and had NO idea that your mother had passed away. I am so very sorry for your and your family's loss. She was a lovely woman. I will pray for you and your family and lead CYM and Holy Souls' Religion classes to do the same. May Christ's Peace be with you. Love, Denise Morbit
Kay Briscoe McNeil
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Richard,Ashley, Jordan and James
My heart is breaking for all of you.
Karyl was one of my oldest friends and a friend I knew that would always be there when called.
Se was one of the most loving generous people I have ever met. So many memories of my life involve Karyl.
Lifting you all up in prayer
Kay, Gabe and Maggie
Liza Wright
Sunday, January 25, 2015
We extend our sympathy and ask for God's blessings and comfort.
Much Love,
Liza, Chris, Fenley & Henry Wright
Kate Dolan
Sunday, January 25, 2015
It is with heavy hearts that we hear of Karyl's passing. She was an amazing neighbor, a loving wife, and an example of just how powerful the presence of a loving mother can be. We were blessed to share our time in Little Rock next door to the Bearden family. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Nick and Nancy Ferrara
Saturday, January 24, 2015
Richard and family,
Our heart breaks for you all. Karyl was as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside. I honestly cannot remember seeing her without a smile on her face! She lit up a room with her genuine warmth and humility, and was so proud of her family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. God bless your family, and may you be comforted by many sweet memories and the knowledge that tonight and forever she rests peacefully in paradise with her Lord and Savior.
Pepper Wyllia
Saturday, January 24, 2015
Karyl was such a lovely person inside and out. I was privileged to work with her for the past several years and enjoyed her positive outlook. Karyl loved her family ! She is so proud of all of you.
Rosie Coleman
Saturday, January 24, 2015
Karyl was an amazing educator and wonderful person. My deepest sympathy to her family. She will surely be missed. A new angel has arrived in Heaven.