Rev. Larry Embry

HARTFORD – Larry Embry, 77, of Hartford gained his heavenly reward on March 8th, 2026 at Skyline Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. He was born on November 21st, 1948 to the late Rev. Basil and Azel Lindsey Embry.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said "The purpose of life is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to make some difference is to have lived and lived well."

Rev. Larry Embry lived a purposeful life as a retired educator in the Ohio County School System and pastor of Cedar Grove Church for 39 years. He retired from the Ohio County Board of Education where he served as the Principal at Wayland Alexander School and as an Assistant Superintendent for transportation. He was loved by his students, teachers, and staff with the Ohio County Board of Education and will always be remembered for his kindness as a leader in the school system. Rev. Embry and his wife, Elda, began serving at Cedar Grove Church near Olaton, Kentucky in September 1981 and have witnessed the church congregation grow from a few dozen to more than 200. They have been there for many families to celebrate times of joy and offer compassion in times of need. He loved his family, friends and the community and was loved by all who were blessed to know him.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his son, Robert Brian “Squatty” Embry and brother, Wendell Paul Embry.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 57 years, Elda Beatty Embry; daughter-in-law, Gail Tooley Embry; grandchildren, Lauren (Shane) Jackson, Dawson Embry and Graham Embry; great-granddaughter, Eleanor Jackson; siblings, Joanna, Phillip, Linda and Gary; along with several nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at 4:00 PM on Thursday March 12th, 2026 at Cedar Grove Church with Bros. David Embry, Corey Beatty and Kyle Hall presiding. Friends may visit with the family from 10:00 AM until the time of service at the church. Burial will follow in Cedar Grove Cemetery. The family requests that expressions of sympathy take the form of donations to Cedar Grove Church. Bevil Bros. Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online messages of condolence may be sent to bevilbrosfuneralhomes.com.