Reverend Carlton Ray Berry in his 67 ^th season of life went to be with the Lord on Saturday, September 15, 2018.   He was born January 1, 1951 in Magnolia, AR to the late Tyree and Lessie Cornelious Berry. He was also predeceased by his brother Nathaniel Berry.

Rev. Berry was a graduate of McNeil High School Class of 1969.  He was a veteran of the United States Army. In 1977 he relocated to Hot Springs where he attended the Hot Springs Rehabilitation Center and received his certification in automotive mechanics. He received a Bachelor's Degree in Theology from Andersonville College. Carlton began his Christian foundation at Bethany Baptist Church in McNeil, AR. Upon moving to Hot Springs, he became a member of Greater St. Paul Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor B.E. Blackmon.  He was in deacon training but accepted his call to the ministry before completing his training. He became pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church, Hot Springs and served from 1982 – 1992.  He later moved to Mound City, IL and became Pastor of Zion Travelers Baptist Church where he served from 1992 – 2007.

In 1972 he began to lose his physical eyesight due to retinitis pigmentosa. Upon relocating back to Hot Springs, AR he became a member of Union Baptist Church and served faithfully as an Associate Minister.  He attended the Arkansas School for the Blind in Little Rock, AR.  He later went to Michigan to learn Braille and to receive his service dog whom he named, Oscar Berry. Oscar became his best friend and loyal companion.    Oscar was very instrumental in helping Pastor Berry learn his surroundings. After the initial shock of Oscar being at church he soon became "The Church Dog."

In 2012 he accepted a call to become pastor of Antioch Baptist Church, DeAnn/Hope, AR.  Pastor Berry traveled to Antioch even when his health condition demanded him to stay home.  He will be known as the "Seeing Blind Preacher."  Although he could not see physically he believed in Psalm 119:11 "Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against you."  Pastor Berry had hidden the Word in his heart and could quote any scripture in the Bible.  He didn't wait until he was blind to study the Word, he knew the Word before so he had no problem with the Word. He was a lover of God's Word and had a sincere love for God's people.  It was his desire to grow the church spiritually, numerically and financially.  Pastor Berry was a loving and devoted husband, a provider and a devoted father to his children, a doting Papa to his grandchilren and a great Shephard to his flock and a friend to many.

His passing has left a lasting impression in the heart of his wife of 47 years, Minister Brenda Morgan Berry of Hot Springs; four daughters, LaRonda (Edward) Montgomery of Hot Springs, Tracy Smith of Houston, TX, Willette "Shon" Berry of Dallas, TX and Ferlanda (Kenneth) Willis of McKinney, TX; one son, Christopher Greene, Sr. of Hot Springs; five brothers, Eddie (Teresa) Berry, Ernest Berry and Joe Arthur (Rebecca) Berry all of McNeil; Johnny (Debrah) of Waxahaphie, TX and, Dennis (Bylinda) Berry of Frisco, TX; one sister, Darlene (Wayne Thompson of Desoto, TX; eight grandchildren, Xzavier, Blakely and Rayisha Montgomery, Morgan and Kendrick Willis, Joshua Manning, Samara and, Christopher Greene, Jr.; four great grandchildren, Haylnn Montgomery-Owens, Eden Bean, Devin Alexander and, Emma Jean Montgomery; his service dog, Oscar Berry;  his brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, Rev. Winford Morgan, Rose Marie West and, Carolyn West;  a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.

Funeral service will be 11:00 AM Saturday, September 22, 2018 at Union Baptist Church 219 Gulpha Street, Hot Springs.  A visitation with an informal service will be held Friday, September 21, 2018 beginning at 6:00 PM at Antioch Baptist Church Hwy 332, Deann/Hope.  Burial will be Monday, September 24, 2018 at 12:00 PM in the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery, North Little Rock, AR.

The family will be at 201 Charteroak, Hot Springs.

Guest registry is at http://www.carriganmemorial.com .

Arrangements are entrusted to Carrigan Memorial Funeral Services.