1926
Richard
2016
Richard Gantt
August 1, 1926 — March 25, 2016
Deacon Richard H. Gantt was born to the heritage of John & Rothie Howell Gantt on August 1, 1926 in Nevada County, Arkansas. He departed this earthly life on Friday, (Good Friday) March 25, 2016 at 4:25 am, Charleston Methodist Hospital in Dallas Texas.
Richard accepted Jesus Christ at an early age. He served in the church where he lived in Nevada County, Arkansas. He also attended public schools in Nevada County, Arkansas.
Richard was ordained as a Deacon in the early 60’s and served as Chairman of the Deacon Board at his church Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church for many years under the leadership of the late Rev. Paul H. Coumpy of Dallas, Texas.
As a faithful member, he was at his best serving in an old fashion devotional period at church…kneeling down, leaning on a chair, on one knee to pray or leading one of those old one hundred’s…”Guide Me Over Thy Great Jehovah” or “I’ve Got a New Home Over in Zion.” He loved attending church musicals and singing as lead vocalist with the group, the Spiritual Echo’s with that melodious tenor voice. Everywhere he went, the church would request for him to sing the song, “Use Me Lord in Thy Service.” Richard also served four (4) years in the U S Army (World War II) and was a member of the AFL- CIO Union for over 50 years.
Deacon Gantt’s favorite hobby after retirement was gardening. He would plant fields of food, too much for him and his family to eat, so he would give the neighborhood the surplus of fresh fruits and vegetables to anyone who asked. And yes, he knew how to “can food”.
After serving in the military, he met and married Ophelia Sanders of Falcon, Arkansas on March 5, 1948, to this union five (5) children were born, Paul, Hazel, Kenneth, Kerry, and Yvonne.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ophelia Gantt, brother, Lonnie Gantt, sisters, Lou Verda Gantt, Ossie Mae Tucker, Lillie Mae Worsham, and son, Kenneth Gantt.
Deacon Gantt wanted better opportunities for he and his family, thus moving the family to Dallas Texas in the early 50’s where he gained employment with the City of Dallas and later was employed by Hyatt Cheek Construction Company for over 30 years until he reached retirement.
He is survived by two (2) sons and two (2) daughters, Paul Gantt (wife, Donna), Hazel Gantt, Kerry Gantt, and Yvonne Gantt, seven (7) grandchildren, DeAndre Gantt (wife, Kibibi), Charmeon Gantt, Brittney Gantt-McCain, (husband, Mark), Kendria Gantt, Courtney Denmon, Kennethia Gantt, Gregory Gantt, eight (8) great- grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Richard accepted Jesus Christ at an early age. He served in the church where he lived in Nevada County, Arkansas. He also attended public schools in Nevada County, Arkansas.
Richard was ordained as a Deacon in the early 60’s and served as Chairman of the Deacon Board at his church Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church for many years under the leadership of the late Rev. Paul H. Coumpy of Dallas, Texas.
As a faithful member, he was at his best serving in an old fashion devotional period at church…kneeling down, leaning on a chair, on one knee to pray or leading one of those old one hundred’s…”Guide Me Over Thy Great Jehovah” or “I’ve Got a New Home Over in Zion.” He loved attending church musicals and singing as lead vocalist with the group, the Spiritual Echo’s with that melodious tenor voice. Everywhere he went, the church would request for him to sing the song, “Use Me Lord in Thy Service.” Richard also served four (4) years in the U S Army (World War II) and was a member of the AFL- CIO Union for over 50 years.
Deacon Gantt’s favorite hobby after retirement was gardening. He would plant fields of food, too much for him and his family to eat, so he would give the neighborhood the surplus of fresh fruits and vegetables to anyone who asked. And yes, he knew how to “can food”.
After serving in the military, he met and married Ophelia Sanders of Falcon, Arkansas on March 5, 1948, to this union five (5) children were born, Paul, Hazel, Kenneth, Kerry, and Yvonne.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ophelia Gantt, brother, Lonnie Gantt, sisters, Lou Verda Gantt, Ossie Mae Tucker, Lillie Mae Worsham, and son, Kenneth Gantt.
Deacon Gantt wanted better opportunities for he and his family, thus moving the family to Dallas Texas in the early 50’s where he gained employment with the City of Dallas and later was employed by Hyatt Cheek Construction Company for over 30 years until he reached retirement.
He is survived by two (2) sons and two (2) daughters, Paul Gantt (wife, Donna), Hazel Gantt, Kerry Gantt, and Yvonne Gantt, seven (7) grandchildren, DeAndre Gantt (wife, Kibibi), Charmeon Gantt, Brittney Gantt-McCain, (husband, Mark), Kendria Gantt, Courtney Denmon, Kennethia Gantt, Gregory Gantt, eight (8) great- grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
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