Gracie Mae Carey

1936 ~ 2024

Date of Death: August 19, 2024

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In profound sadness, the staff of Veasley Funeral Home & Cremations, Inc. want to express our sincere condolences to the Carey Family. Gracie's earthly temple is now resting in the care of Rowell-Parish Mortuary. Revelations 21:4 says, "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death; nor sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things are passed away." Be assured that in the days ahead you will surely gain strength from the memories of Gracie Carey.

Sincerely,

Derrick Veasley ~ Director

Henry Veasley ~ Director

Pastor E.C. Maltbia ~ Chaplain

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Gracie Mae Carey was the first-born child to the late Alex and Hazel Norwood, born on August 25, 1936, in Van Buren, Arkansas.  She attended Douglas Grade School and completed her studies at Lincoln High School in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Gracie accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized by her Uncle Reverend Roy Reed.  She accepted God’s call upon her life and began her ministry in concert with her beloved husband “Carey.” She graduated from the Oklahoma School of Religion in Oklahoma City.  She began her service as First Lady ministering at New Town Baptist Church.  She served at Mission Point Missionary Baptist Church in Fort Smith for seventeen (17) years.  Her ministry passion was working with young people and loved creating activities for them and providing them with leadership and counsel.  She took her passion on to Union Baptist Church in Pocola, Oklahoma; Mt. Calvary in Clarksville, Arkansas; and Eufaula, Oklahoma where she created a Praise and Worship group for the youth.  Her service at the New Zion Baptist Church of Muskogee, Oklahoma would be the last church under her care.

She married Reverend Joseph Carey, Jr., on December 23, 1954.  Their fifty (50) year union and ministry is survived by six (6) children; four (4) sons:  Reverend Davy Joe Carey of Jacksonville, Arkansas; Dennis Carey of New Bedford, Massachusetts; Terrell (Alex) Carey of Phoenix, Arizona and Tyrone Carey of Fort Smith, Arkansas.  Two (2) daughters: Loretta Carey-Matlock and Lucretia Carey-Lewis both of Fort Smith, Arkansas.  She was blessed with twenty-three (23) grandchildren, forty (40) great-grandchildren, four (4) great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.

Gracie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband: Reverend Joseph Carey, Jr; her brothers: Jimmy Norwood, Leroy Norwood, Nathaniel Norwood, Herbert Manager, Larry Norwood and her sisters: Mary Catherine Norwood, Elizabeth Johnson, Ernestine Foster, Amelia Fields and Mamie Douglas.

Walk through visitation for family and friends will be Sunday August 25, 2024, 4:00pm to 6:00pm; with family hour 6-7pm at Rowell-Parish Mortuary 611 North 9th St., Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Celebration of Life Service will be Monday August 26, 2024, 11:00am at New Covenant International Christian Center 4400 North N St., Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Burial and final resting place: Fort Smith National Cemetery 522 Garland Ave., Fort Smith, Arkansas.