Janice Kay Guffey

Janice Kay Guffey ‘Grammy’, 78, of Perryville, Arkansas, went home to be with the Lord on July 18, 2026. She was born on April 23, 1948, in Grenada, Mississippi, to the late Ralph Eli Cartledge and Mary Edith (McCluskey) Cartledge-Thompson.

Grammy lived a life rooted in faith, love and family. A faithful member of the Assembly of God, she loved the Lord with all her heart. She was a devoted prayer warrior whose unwavering faith sustained her through every season of life. Her relationship with Christ was the foundation of who she was, and she faithfully lived out her beliefs each day through prayer, compassion, and the kindness she showed to everyone she met.

She earned her bachelor’s degree and spent many years serving as a Principal Librarian with the Central Arkansas Library System. Grammy loved to read and believed there was always something new to learn. She found joy in books, but even more joy in the people she shared life with.

Her family was the center of her world. She loved having everyone together, and nowhere was that more evident than at Christmastime. Christmas wasn’t just a holiday to Grammy—it was an experience. Every year she chose a new decorating theme and transformed her home, inside and out, into something truly special. Family and friends looked forward to gathering there, where laughter filled the rooms, traditions were made, and memories were created that will be treasured for years to come.

Grammy also treasured her friendships. She and her friends were always planning their next outing, whether it was trying a new restaurant, shopping, or simply enjoying each other’s company. She loved staying busy and making the most of every day. And, of course, no description of Grammy would be complete without mentioning her faithful furry companion, Chester, who brought her so much comfort and held a special place in her heart.

Whether she was opening her home for another Christmas celebration, enjoying lunch with friends, spending time with her family, or simply sharing a quiet moment with Chester, Grammy found joy in life’s everyday blessings. She leaves behind a legacy of unwavering faith, unconditional love, generosity, and countless treasured memories. While her family and friends will miss her deeply, they find comfort in knowing she is now with her Savior, whom she loved so faithfully throughout her life. Her love, prayers, and the example she set will continue on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Caroll Guffey, Sr.; her son, Randy Pruitt; her daughter, Tiffany Pruitt; and her parents, Ralph Eli Cartledge and Mary Edith (McCluskey) Cartledge-Thompson; her step-dad, Charles Thompson; Aunt Laura, Aunt Betty, Uncle Clennis and Aunt Dorothy, and Uncle Harry and Aunt Betty.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory her sons, Caroll Guffey, Jr. and wife Jody and Jason Guffey and wife Lisa; grandchildren, Brittany Guffey, Jay Guffey and wife Anna, Freddy May and wife Amber, Carrie Lee and husband Jacob, Katie Gulley and husband Jonathan, Laura Brown and husband Steven, Sydney Munn and her fiancé, Austin Poteete, Brittnee Suffern, and Jake Suffern; great-grandchildren, Carter May, Gracen May, Kyndall May, Jackson Lee, Harrison Gulley, Jayda Wilkes, Abby Bearham, Jaxson Brown, Payton Scott, Landry Munn, and Gunner Poteete; her brother, Ralph Cartledge and wife Mary; sister Judy Grone; special friends, Bobby Garrett, Virginia Slater, Bill English, and “Momma” Garrett and family; along with many other relatives and dear friends who will forever cherish the time they shared with her.

A graveside service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, July 20, 2026, at Hope Cemetery in Perryville, Arkansas.

Services are entrusted to Smith-Benton Funeral Home. Online condolences may be shared at www.SmithFamilyCares.com.

From her brother Ralph-

“I loved her tremendously and will miss her every day! My sister, my keeper.”