Carl Neal Guthrie passed away Thursday, January 21, 2021 in his home. He was born April 21, 1939, to Gordon and Vera Guthrie of Ft Lauderdale FL, who later moved to Booneville AR. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Linda Bennett Guthrie, 3 sons, Eric and his wife Staci of Choctaw Ok, Jeff and his wife Angelia of Searcy, and Lane of Little Rock, 4 grandchildren, Grant and his wife Serenity, Madi, Ben, and Caleb, and a host of other family members and friends.
Neal graduated from Booneville High School and received his bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Ouachita Baptist University. He served as Minister of Music and Youth at churches in Bakersfield and Oildale, CA, and Booneville, Mountain Home, and Judsonia AR. He served as Youth Evangelism Director and Brotherhood Director of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention where he was instrumental in bringing the Disaster Relief ministry to Arkansas. In later years he worked for ARCARE and Health Resources of Arkansas as an Intervention Specialist. Neal led and participated in mission trips to Africa, Brazil, Jordan, Guatemala, China, Venezuela, and Egypt.
In the words of his family, Dad loved Jesus, his family and his ministry work. He never met a stranger, and he loved to laugh. He loved nature and was very knowledgeable about it. Dad was compassionate and caring. Called PawPaw by his grandchildren he had a calm spirit and kind heart. His deep love for life went hand in hand with his genuine care for people—his family, his neighbors, even strangers. He leaves behind a legacy of what it means to be truly compassionate and joyous, living every day with the intention to find the good and share it.
We all have some level of peace that he is no longer suffering. Even though we will miss him dearly, he is now aware of reality in ways we simply cannot imagine, and he is hearing the words “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Neal did not wish to have a church service but rather for his family to have a quiet celebration of his life. We honor that wish. In lieu of flowers the family will be accepting donations toward the Neal Guthrie Memorial Garden to be established this Spring. This memorial will celebrate his life and be planted and maintained so that it hopefully brings joy and peace to others as he did so many times himself.
Link for donations to Memorial Garden: https://www.gofundme.com/f/neal-guthrie-memorial-garden
Arrangements entrusted to A Natural State Funeral Service, 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas 72076. 501-982-3400
Sign Guestbook