Carmi Louis Ransom

Carmi Louis Ransom, 89, of Searcy, Ark., formerly of Judsonia, Ark. went Home to his Lord and Savior on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2015. Carmi was born on March 12, 1926 to Benjamin Louis and Lizzie Belle Dunham Ransom. The youngest of seven children, he was preceded in death by both parents; brothers, Charles, Orville, and Hershel Ransom; a sisters, Geneva Ransom, Velma Wood, and Thelma Adler; and grandson Benjamin Matthew Waldorf and great grandson Elijah Graham Douglas. One of the Greatest Generation, Carmi served in the U.S. Navy during World War II as a LCVP (Landing Craft, Vehicle Personnel) or "Higgins Boat" crewman. Seaman Ransom served in the Pacific Theater of Operations, and most notably saw action at the Battle of Iwo Jima, where the Navy landed the U.S. Marine Corps on Japanese soil for the first time, and he was offshore when the famous flag raising took place atop Mount Suribachi. Among his numerous awards, Seaman Ransom received Battle Stars for both Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Carmi was a member of the First Baptist Church of Judsonia, Arkansas and served in the choir, with special music, the Barnabas Team until his health began to fail. He was a member of the Disabled American Veterans, Post 41. Carmi enjoyed gardening, hunting, fishing, and the beautiful outdoors. Carmi is survived by the love of his life and wife of 62 years, Vesta Lee Baker Ransom; four children including three daughters: Linda Carmen Pate (Robert) of San Antonio, Texas; Kerri Allison Fee (Dan) of Stillwater, Minn.; Phyllis Jean Hughes of Judsonia, Ark.; and one son, James Louis Ransom (Claudette) of Griffithville. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren: Jason Douglas (Jessica) of Glen Heights, Texas; Joshua Douglas (Michelle) of Leander, Texas; Lindsay Craig (Ben) of St. Paul, Minn.; Holly Pate of The Woodlands, Texas; Kenney LaFerney (Cheryl) of Tuttle, Okla.; Michelle Hurst (Pete) of Griffithville, Ark.; Laura English (Robby) of Rose Bud, Ark.; Courtney Ransom of Griffithville, Ark.; Karen Estes of Boaz, Ala.; Rhonda Ferguson of Campbell, Mo.; Billy Estes Jr. of Judsonia, Ark.; 26 great-grandchildren, and 12 great-great grandchildren also survive Carmi. Also special to Carmi were Bob and Martha Tindell, Lee and Heather Harrell, and H.V. and Linda Gill, among a host of family and friends. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 27, 6 until 8 p.m. at Powell Funeral Home in Searcy, Ark. Services will be held on Thursday, May 28, 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Judsonia, followed by military honors and burial at Evergreen Cemetery in Judsonia, Ark. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Baptist Church, Judsonia, Ark. or a charity of your choice. www.powellfuneralhome.net.