Robert E. Carthee

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Mr. Robert E. Carthee, 77, of Blytheville, died Friday, April 11, 2014, at Great River Medical Center in Blytheville. Born in McGehee, Ark., he was the son of Ethel Greene and George Carthee. Robert, also known as "Bear," was raised by his grandparents, the Rev. and Mrs. Greene. His grandfather, Rev. Greene, was an African Methodist Episcopal minister, which meant that the family moved many times and that Robert attended many elementary schools in the state.

He accepted Christ as a child and was a member of Enoch Chapel A.M.E. Church most of his life.

In 1951 the family moved back to Blytheville, where he graduated from Richard B. Harrison High School in 1954. He received his Associate's Degree from Shorter College in North Little Rock and his Bachelor's Degree from Paul Quinn College in Waco, Texas.

Robert began his teaching career in the Number Nine and Promise Land schools, where he taught social studies. His last teaching position was at Fairview. He loved sports and loved teaching sports, and coached many of the elementary school teams.

His parents, grandparents and two of his cousins, Minnie King Payton and Janice Greene Frost, with whom he was reared, and his children, Charles, Earnest, Franklie and Joyce, preceded him in death.

Survivors include his life partner, Mrs. Inez Henderson of the home;

Three daughters, Dr. Blanche (and Rev. Arthur) Hunt of Marion, Mrs. Martha Jean (and Calvin) Ezell of Memphis, and Mae Eunice Johnson of Blytheville;

Four sons, Michael Carthee of Blytheville, Robert Lamar (and Lisa) Carthee of Falls Church, Va., Roy (and Glenda) Henderson of Portsmouth, Va., and Frank Henderson of Blytheville;

His cousins, Faye, Sandra, Maurice, Deborah and Melba; and

Numerous grandchildren and other relatives.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, April 17, 2014, at Mcdonald-Horne Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, April 18, 2014, at New St. Paul Baptist Church, 515 E. Sawyer St., Blytheville, with the Rev. Clark Phillips, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Gethsemane Gardens Cemetery with arrangements by McDonald-Horne Funeral Home of Blytheville.