Mary Jane Carder

Mary Jane Carder, a genteel Southern lady, passed away Tuesday, June 25, 2013, at her home in Searcy with her family by her side. She was born to Edgar and Martha Barkhausen Wright on June 12, 1926, the youngest of their six children, in the home built by her father on their farm in Judsonia, Arkansas. Mrs. Carder attended Judsonia Public Schools until high school when she moved to Searcy to live with her sister and brother-in-law, former White County Judge and Mrs. Forrest Waller. She was a 1943 graduate of Searcy High School. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Hendrix College in 1947. Chosen as both Miss Searcy and Miss Judsonia, she was a runner-up in the 1948 Miss Arkansas competition. Mary Jane Wright and Frank Carder were married on November 16, 1948. To this union, one child was born, George Frank Carder, III. Her husband preceded her in death in 2006. An educator by training and profession, she earned additional collegiate credit at both Harding University and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She became a certified classroom teacher in 1970. She taught American History at Searcy High School. Mrs. Carder was a classical pianist, her talent in the Miss Arkansas competition, and a portrait artist in oils. She studied art at the Arkansas Arts Center under Betty Dortch McMath. An avid duplicate bridge player, she earned her Life Master certification with the American Contract Bridge League in 1986. She enjoyed her community and civic activities through her association with her sorority, Beta Sigma Phi, and the Associated Women for Harding. She also served on the Alumni Board of Governors of Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas. She was a member of the First Christian Church of Searcy, Arkansas. Mrs. Carder is survived by her son and his wife, George and Sharon Carder of Searcy, and two grandchildren, George Frank "Beau" Carder, IV, of Dallas, Texas, and Dr. Casey Carder Rockwell and her husband, Eric, of Little Rock, Arkansas. Visitation will be Friday morning, June 28, 2013, at 9:30 a.m. at Powell Funeral Home in Searcy, with services following at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be private. The family requests that any memorials be made to the First Christian Church of Searcy, the First United Methodist Church of Searcy, Hendrix College or Harding University. www.powellfunealhome.net.