Author: Natalie Harrell

Crowley’s Ridge College recognized Mr. Frank Guinn as the recipient of its 2025 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award at its Homecoming festivities this past Saturday, February 22nd. Frank was honored in recognition of his outstanding service to the community and to Christian education.

Frank Guinn was born in Leachville Arkansas and attended CRC in 1967-68. He finished all of his coursework except for Music Appreciation, so he lacked 3 hours to receive the A.A. in General Studies. When he left CRC, he went into the military during the height of the Vietnam War and served our country. Frank maintained a close connection with CRC since his student days. While deployed, he says that faculty members would write him and keep in contact with him. He still has these letters. After Frank came home from the military, he and his mother, Ima (pictured below), started Ima’s Fashions, a clothing retailer that he and his family have owned for nearly 60 years and currently has locations in Paragould, AR and Jonesboro, AR. He married the love of his life, Ann Marie Ryles in 1968, and they have two children, Drew Guinn and the late Laura Kingston. Frank and Ann Marie also have six grandchildren and five great grandchildren. They have always made Paragould their home.

During Frank’s career, Frank has served in many capacities. He served on the boards of Security Bank and American State Bank. He currently serves on the commission board for Arkansas Methodist Medical Center, as well as the Independent Citizens Commission for the State of Arkansas. He was an original founder of the Arkansas State Police Foundation, and served there for over twenty years, much of that time as its chairman. He also served two seven-year terms on the Arkansas State Police Commission, with two of those years as the chairman.

Earlier in his career, Frank also found time to complete his degree from Crowley’s Ridge College, and has remained a generous supporter for many years. Frank will tell anyone who listens that CRC had a tremendous influence on his life. He found the campus to be a loving and supportive environment, which contributed not only to the future careers of its graduates, but also to their personal and spiritual development as well. He also fondly remembers the founder, Dr. Emmett Smith (honoris causa), and many of the other early faculty members who had such a great influence on the lives of so many.