of Clarksville, AR

September 21, 1940 - December 21, 2023

Gwendolyn Rose Usery, 83, died Thursday, December 21, 2023 at her home in Clarksville. She was born September 21, 1940 in Camden to Charles Word and Mary Galbraith Smith. Gwen graduated from North Little Rock High School in 1958. She married her husband of 60 years, Billy Ray Usery on June 4, 1959. The couple moved to Clarksville in 1967 where Gwen served as the pastor's wife of First Baptist Church for 23 years until her husband's retirement. During this time, she graduated summa cum laude from the University of the Ozarks (formerly College of the Ozarks) in 1977 with a Bachelor of Arts in English Education. She received a Master's in English Education from Arkansas Tech University in 1994. Gwen taught for 29 years with the Clarksville School District and all but one was spent teaching senior English. She was deeply devoted to her community, serving as a volunteer with the Johnson County Historical Society. She was also an active supporter of Mission Dignity which helps the widows of pastors.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Billy Ray Usery and her parents, Charles Smith and Mary Lednisky.

Gwen is survived by three children, Stephen Usery and wife, Jayne of St. Paul, Minnesota, Gary Usery and wife, Charlotte of Bossier City, Louisiana and Angel Black and husband, Wade of Clarksville and four grandchildren, Aaron Usery of Bossier City, Hannah Gollow and husband, Michael of Bossier City, Emily Black of New York, New York and Ellie Black of Oxford, Mississippi, who lovingly referred to her as Gran.

The family will hold a private Celebration of Life with subsequent interment at Oakland Cemetery in Clarksville. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Mission Dignity, P.O. Box 819109, Dallas, TX 75381. Arrangements with Roller-Cox Funeral Home. Online guestbook and obituary at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/clarksville.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Cox Funeral Home
Rogers & Poplar Streets
Clarksville, AR  72830
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com