Pulaski County

RICHARD R. CERNEY, 81, of North Little Rock, passed from this life on April 16, 2021. He was born October 27, 1939, in Oklahoma City, Okla to Alfred and Katherine Brott Cerney. Richard married his beloved wife, Grace Elizabeth Sandlin on September 2,1961. A graduate of TCU and Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth, Texas, Richard worked most of his life in the ministry, first as a pastor in Texas and El Dorado, Ark., and later as superintendent of Union Rescue Mission in Little Rock, where in 1982, he and his wife founded Dorcas House to serve women in the community. He finished his career in administration at Arkansas School for the Blind. Throughout his life, Richard shared his faith with countless people who remember him as a “sweet, caring man, who always had a smile and an encouraging word.”

Preceded in death by his parents and two brothers: Joe and Jerry Cerney, Richard is survived by his wife, Grace Sandlin Cerney, Children; Stephen Cerney and his wife Karen, and Cary Cerney Pierson and her husband Joe, and Grandchildren; Jace and Ryleigh Cerney and Emma Pierson.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, April 21, at Roselawn Memorial Park with Steve Greer officiating. All are invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Union Rescue Mission at www.urmissionlr.org, or by mail to Dorcas House at 823 South Park Street, Little Rock, Ark., 72202.

Sign Richard’s online guestbook at www.smithfamilycares. com.