Carnell Gasaway

Carnell Gasaway, age 92, of Beebe, Arkansas, died Tuesday, May 5, 2015. She was born in 1922, in the Plainview Community near Judsonia, the daughter of Emmet and Nina Maude Miller, and is survived by her children - Laura of Chapel Hill, NC, Roger (Patsy) of Lakewood Ranch, FL and Lynn Gasaway of Chicago; grandson, Josh (Amy) Gasaway and great-granddaughter, Riley of Ottawa Lake, MI, and her sister, Linda Miller of Searcy. She was predeceased by her husband, Merel Gasaway, her parents, five brothers - Leon, Emmett Jr., Neil, Edward, and Jimmie Miller, and three sisters - Eloise Joyner, Jane Murdaugh and Mildred Douglass. Her life was devoted to her family, friends and church, where she was known for her cooking and baking talents, her intellect - especially her ability to spell anything, and a love for games.
Carnell graduated from Plainview High School and from Beebe Junior College. She married Merel on August 1, 1941, before his initial military deployment to Alaska before World War II. Carnell worked outside the home only for a few years before she dedicated herself to the duties of a wife and mother. The Gasaway family moved several times over the years, living in Arkansas, Texas and Colorado, before Carnell and Merel retired to Beebe in 1982. She spoke fondly of the many vacations they took together after retirement to all 48-contiguous states, visiting nearly all of the national parks.
Carnell was active in the Beebe First United Methodist Church and in the community. The family asks in lieu of flowers, that memorial donations be made to the church or a charity of your choice.
Visitation will be held at 10am on Saturday, May 9, at Smith-Westbrook Funeral Home in Beebe, with services immediately following at 11am. Burial will be in Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens. Arrangements by Smith-Westbrook Funeral Home.