Dr. S. Cary Heard

Dr. Samuel Cary Heard, Jr., 84, of North Little Rock, Arkansas met his LORD face to face on February 26, 2025. For this, dear friends, we rejoice! He was born September 2, 1940 in Charleston, South Carolina to Samuel Cary Heard Sr. and Mary Frances Ridenhour Heard, who preceded him in death, along with his nephew Mark Drinkwater.

Cary is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Mary Lou Bryan Heard; children, Sam Heard (Brooke Buckley), Sarah Renshaw (Bo), and Dan Heard (Marty); grandchildren, Jasper Heard, James Renshaw, Noah Heard, Haden Buckley (Kylea), Griffin Buckley, Callie Renshaw, Zoe Heard (Ethan Hurley), Grace Heard, Edie Heard, Leigha Heard, Abby Renshaw, Sophie Buckley, and Layla Heard; great grandson, Hank Buckley; sister, Tish Drinkwater (Mike); and nephew, Michael Drinkwater (Camie); along with a host of family and friends. 

Cary received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Baylor University in 1962. Continuing his studies at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, he would go on to earn a Master of Divinity and finish with a Doctor of Theology in 1973. Moving his growing family to North Little Rock from Atlanta, Texas in 1975, Dr. Heard would spend the next thirty years ministering to Central Arkansas as the Senior Pastor at Park Hill Baptist Church in North Little Rock. Upon his retirement in 2005, Cary left a legacy of Outreach, Kindness, Generosity, and a heart-centered focus on the example set by Jesus. Under Dr. Heard’s leadership, Park Hill Baptist Church experienced rapid and effective growth in ministry to its congregation, its community, and countries around the world through an ever deepening commitment to giving through the International Mission Board. 

Dr. Heard served multiple terms as President of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. Gifted with wisdom and compassion, Cary was a highly effective teacher. His steadfast love of the Word of God inspired his ability to relate scripture through simple, effective, Biblically focused preaching. Cary preached the Love of Christ, and anyone who had the pleasure of knowing him bears witness to the fact: he practiced it as well.

An avid sportsman, Cary enjoyed the waters and woodlands of The Natural State as well as the backcountry peaks of Colorado and the waves of the Gulf Coast. He built gardens, planted seeds, and watched them grow. He invested in families, friendships, and communities in a way that fostered consistent, constant growth. He knew how to tell a joke, put his heart into a song, and pour his life into worship. Cary was living proof that you simply cannot outgive God.

A humble man with a broad sense of humor and a gentle, encouraging leadership style, Cary received numerous commendations from The City of North Little Rock, The State of Arkansas, and the Federal Government, having been given multiple citations and awards for his service from the Governor of Arkansas to the President of the United States. 

His grandchildren guard a treasury of stories about the way he made them laugh, and taught them to love the LORD with all their heart, soul, and strength. He led by example and provided a space for them to learn and grow in the light and warmth of The Gospel.

Will he be missed? Oh, so very much! But not for long, friends. We, his family, have Faith in the fact that we will see him again. Soon. And we invite you to join us! Cary Heard would tell you plainly if he were here, with a smile from ear to ear:

WORK FOR THE LORD. THE PAY MAY NOT BE MUCH.

BUT THE RETIREMENT PLAN IS OUT OF THIS WORLD.

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Visitation will be from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at Park Hill Baptist Church. A memorial service will be at 11:00 AM on Friday, March 7, 2025 at the church. 

The family wishes that any donations in honor of Cary’s life be made to either Park Hill Baptist Church at https://parkhillbaptist.org/give - or Arkansas Baptist Children & Family Ministries at https://www.abcfm.org/give-now