Edward D. Lairry

Pastor Edward D. Lairry was born on February 13, 1948 to the late Deacon Pearl and Mother Josephine Lairry. He accepted Christ at the age of twelve at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, North Little Rock, Arkansas, under the leadership of Rev. N.K. Curry. He grew up faithfully attending Sunday School, prayer meetings, Bible Class, and Baptist Training Union (BTU). He enjoyed being a song leader and singing in the Junior and Young Adult Choirs. He also served as the church clerk for several years. Pastor Lairry graduated from Scipio A. Jones High School in 1966. He played baseball and began to work at Puckett's Neighborhood Store at an early age. He attended Arkansas Baptist College, Little Rock and also GMC Bible Institute. He worked for the AMF Bicycle Factory, Metropolitan High School and retired from Union Pacific Railroad in 1998. Pastor Lairry was appointed as deacon at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, and served for seven years. At the age of 38, he was called by God into his Ministry. He was licensed as a minister on July 6, 1986. On February 22, 1987, he was ordained by Rev. N.K. Curry. He pastored for a total of 25 1/2 years. He was called to pastor Central Baptist Church, in Gethsemane, Arkansas and New Hope Baptist Church in North Little Rock, Ark. In January 1999, he founded and organized Greater New Hope Baptist Church. Pastor Lairry departed this life at home peacefully on Monday, March 21, 2016. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Pearl and Josephine Lairry; wife, Marva Johnson Lairry; daughter, Beverly Jones; son, DeMarkus "Cocoa" Lairry; brothers, Lucious Larry, Billy Larry, and Kenneth Lairry; and sisters, Bernice Maxiell, Lee Etta Ozier, Lee Dora Lairry, Jo Ethel Lairry, Darnella "Dolly" Jones, and Earleen Jordan. Pastor Lairry leaves to cherish his memory, a wife, Helen Lairry; son, Randall Lairry; daughter, Miranda Lairry, son, Sherman Winn, Jr., daughter, Sharman Winn; grandchildren, Keith and Steven Marshall, Stephanie Turner, Dalen Lairry, Myia Walker and Tahj Carter; great-grandchildren, Omar Nichols Jr. and Kaylee Marshall; brother, Jesse (Josephine) Lairy; sister, Frenchia Ellington; brothers-in-law, James (Shirley) Maxiell, Troy (Ophelia) Johnson, Jackie Paul (Jackie) Johnson, Norman (Alice) Johnson and Nathan Cooper; sisters-in-law, Cathy Jackson, Joyce (Michael) Foreman, Billye (George) Jones, and Cora Cooper; sister-in-law, Barbara Larry, and a host of cousins, other relatives and friends. Public Visitation, Friday, 12-6 p.m., Robinson Mortuary NLR. Celebration Services, Saturday, 1 p.m. at Greater New Hope Baptist Church, 1723 W. 44th Street, NLR, Officiating, Reverend George Coleman; Eulogist, Pastor Victor Moore. Services entrusted to Robinson Mortuary, 4511 E. Broadways Street, NLR (501)374-0111. Sign online guest book at www.robinsonmortuary.com. "Service You Can Trust."