Vera Elizabeth Arnold

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Mrs. Vera Elizabeth Arnold, 88, of Mountain Home, died Sunday, June 3, 2012, in a local hospice facility. She was born Sept. 4, 1923, the daughter of Esta A. Goodrich and Flossie A. Jontz Goodrich. She was of the Baptist faith and a member of Twin Lakes Baptist Church in Mountain Home.

When younger, Vera was the Valedictorian of Blytheville High School; upon graduation she attended Hendrix College where she was a member of Theta Mu sorority. After college, she became a "printer's devil" for the Blytheville Courier News.

After marrying her husband, Edward Arnold, she was a career Air Force wife of 21 years, and enjoyed teaching her Sunday School class. She also enjoyed sewing, fishing, gardening, wildflowers, painting and wood carving. She was known as having a gentle, loving spirit and a warm smile for everyone.

Vera was preceded in death by her husband, Edward D. Arnold; her parents; twins Dorthy Newcomb and infant Margorie; Winnifred Thomas; and Robert Goodrich.

Survivors include a daughter, Kathryn Arnold McSpadden and her fiance' David Willis; and a granddaughter, Megan McSpadden and her fiance' Mason Reeves.

Funeral services are set for 2:30 p.m. today at Willis Funeral Service chapel with Troy Sharp officiating. Burial will immediately follow the service at Kyler Cemetery under the direction of Willis Funeral Service. Pallbearers are Larry Caldwell, Mason Reeves, Davis Willis, Tom Bassey, Tim Mullin and Fred Bufford. Honorary pallbearers are Hospice House employees and volunteers; Dr. Harbinj; friends from Desha Baptist Church, and Twin Lakes Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations are made to Hospice of the Ozarks in Mountain Home.

Visitation was Wednesday at Willis Funeral Service chapel ... www.willisfs.com