William "Ken" Kenneth Carithers

William Kenneth Carithers, known as "Ken" by family and friends, was born in Macon, Ga on October 10, 1924. He went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on June 25, 2016 after an extended illness; he was 91. The family will receive visitors at the funeral home on Tuesday, June 28 from 5:00-8:00 pm. Services for Mr. Carithers will be held at First Baptist Church of Forest Park, Georgia on Wednesday, June 29, 2016 at 11:00 am. Dr. Reed Crumbliss and Rev. Philip Gilbert will be officiating. Interment will be on Thursday, June 30 at the McKissack Family Cemetery on Hwy, 11S. in Hillsboro, Georgia at 11:00.am Ken graduated from Lanier High School in Macon,Ga. in 1943 before enlisting in the Army Air Corp. He was a WWII veteran where he served in the European Theatre as a clerk and Chaplain's assistant. It was during that period of service where Ken developed an interest in the vibraharp. He was employed by Eastern Airlines(1949- 1952) before accepting the position at Mable White Baptist Church as the Associate Pastor. He earned a B.S degree from Mercer University in Religious Education and served at Mable White as Educational Director as well as the church organist(1952-1972). Mr. Carithers relocated with his family to Atlanta. Ga in 1972 where he was an Administrator in the Nursing Home profession until his retirement. In his retirement he enjoyed landscaping and gardening and he won the Yard of the Month by the City of Morrow, Ga. He served on the Board of the Georgia Nursing Home Association, He and his wife, Mary Louise Carithers have been members of First Baptist Church of Forest Park, Ga. for 44 years where he served as a Deacon, church organist, pianist and choir member. He was also a member of the Forest Park, Ga Kuwanis Club. Mr. Carithers was preceded in death by his daughter, Brenda Louise Carithers; his parents Mr. & Mrs. George W. Carithers; brothers, Felton and Willard Carithers; sister, Elizabeth Hardeman; and son in law, Curtis Guice. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Mary Louise Malone Carithers; daughters, Cathy (Scott) Hunt, Marsha Guice(Curtis), Melanie Gilbert(Philip); brother, Leonard Carithers(Sue). He has four grandchildren, Michael Mainland, Melissa Ferguson (Greg), Katie Foster(Jacob) and Micah Gilbert. He will be greatly missed by eight great grandchildren; Dallas, Gracelyn, Kaitlyn and Ella Mainland, Hayden and Abbey Chevere, Parker Foster and Gavin Ferguson who have fond memories of playing the piano with their granddaddy. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William "Ken" Kenneth Carithers, please visit our flower store.