Edward William "Ed" Carey of Sheridan, Arkansas was born April 2, 1941 at Larksville, Pennsylvania, the son of the late John James Carey and Anna Catherine Hardiman Carey. He was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church in Sheridan, where he faithfully occupied the back row, end seat. He proudly served in the United States Air Force and was a Deputy Coroner in Grant County, for many years. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 1000. Ed was a licensed funeral director and embalmer for over 40 years, and was still an active part of the family at Memorial Gardens Funeral Home in Sheridan. He would tell everyone he was semi-retired, but that the funeral home couldn't make it without him, so that's why he still helped out. If you knew Ed very long, you'd hear him tell you that he was born a Yankee, and he would use that as his excuse for giving you his opinion on pretty much any subject matter that you could think of. If you asked him how he was, you would get one of two standard answers, "I don't look my age" or "I look 'darn' good for my age". He wore his signature Polo cologne, because he said the ladies told him it smelled better on him, than on their husbands, and so he felt like he was doing them a favor when he hugged them. Coincidentally, that's the same reason he said he liked to go dancing. He reminded us all that there is a huge difference between what is cute and what is appropriate, and that he didn't like cute. As a long time funeral director, he had eaten in about every church in Grant County, and made mental notes on who made the best dishes, so the next time he saw that person, he could hit them up for a pie or casserole….and it always worked. He had a great affection for dogs, his or anyone else's. Without a doubt, His proudest accomplishment was his family.  He loved his daughters and granddaughters so very much, and never missed an opportunity to share their accomplishments with anyone who would listen. He also very humbly took credit for all of their accomplishments, as the patriarch of the family. He filled the lives of those who knew him with laughter, and smiles. He would often remind us, that there were so many stars in his crown, that he had to walk lopsided. Throughout his long career, Ed helped untold numbers of grieving people, at a time when they needed him most. He worked well beyond his years, not because he had to, but because he wanted to serve the community.

Ed, you told us when you died, to play "Thank Goodness and Greyhound He's Gone", and we're not going to do that, but you also said, so many times, "You're gonna miss me when I'm gone", and we've got to admit….you were right.

Mr. Carey died Saturday, January 4, 2020, at his home in Sheridan, at the age of 78. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, John Carey, James Carey, and William Carey.

Survivors include his daughters, Alana Ann Carey McGinness and husband John of Benton, and Susan Elaine Carey Walls, and her boyfriend Scotty Misenheimer of Little Rock; granddaughters, Brooke Ann McGinness Lessenberry and husband Hayden, and Courtney Elaine Walls, and her boyfriend, Carter Thessing; and the mother of his girls, Carolyn Harrel Carey. He is also survived by his dog Callie, a host of extended family, and many, many friends.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, January 8, 2020, at the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home Chapel in Sheridan, with Michael Walton and Gary Copeland officiating. Burial will follow at Bethel Cemetery in the Ico Community. Visitation will be Tuesday, 6:00-8:00 P.M., at the funeral Home.

Pallbearers are David Hooks, Shannon Shepherd, Scotty Misenheimer, Carter Thessing, Hayden Lessenberry, Johnny McGinness, Mark McGinness, and Matthew McGinness. Honorary pallbearers are David Garner and Jim Wright.

Memorials may be made to Immanuel Baptist Church in Sheridan or Sheridan Dog Pound at the Sheridan Detention Center.