Vera E. Arnold, 88

Vera Elizabeth Arnold, age 88, of Mountain Home, Ark., 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 newspaper.   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 is 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 fiance’ David Willis; and granddaughter Megan McSpadden and fiance’ Mason Reeves.

Services were at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, June 7, at Willis Funeral Service chapel with Troy Sharp officiating. Burial immediately followed at Kyler Cemetery under the direction of Willis Funeral Service. Pallbearers were Larry Caldwell, Mason Reeves, Davis Willis, Tom Bassey, Tim Mullin, and Fred Bufford. Honorary pallbearers were 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, June 6, at Willis Funeral Service chapel from 5 to 7 p.m.

www.willisfs.com