Karyl Suzanne Bearden

KARYL SUZANNE BEARDEN, 49, of Little Rock passed away Jan. 23, 2015 at home surrounded by family after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born Oct. 17, 1965 in Arcadia, Fla. 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, Jan. 27, 2015 from 5-5:30 p.m. followed by the family receiving friends at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, AR 7221, (501-224-8300). Funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28 at Our Lady of the Holy Souls Catholic Church, 1003 North Tyler Street, Little Rock (501-663-8632). Officiated by Father Tom Marks. Burial will follow at 3 p.m. at Camden Memorial Park Cemetery, Camden, Ark. Immediately following the burial, the family will receive friends from 4-5 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of Timothy Methodist Church, Magnolia Highway, Camden, Ark. 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, AR 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 Her online guestbook can be signed at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.