Obituaries

Annie Belle McArthur

Photo of Annie Belle McArthur
Annie Belle (Stell) McArthur, 90, of Hickory Plains, Arkansas, left this world to be with the Lord on Sunday evening, September 2, 2012. She passed away peacefully at her home with loved ones in attendance. She was a dedicated and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. One of her biggest enjoyments was having special occasions at her house where she could and would, lavish love on each and every one. Born to Lum and Mary (Lusty) Stell in Naylor, Arkansas on January 29, 1922, Annie Belle was sixteen years old when her family moved to Hickory Plains from Enola, Arkansas in Faulkner County. Two years later, she married K.J. McArthur and except for a couple of brief periods in Texarkana, Texas and Gravel Ridge, they lived in the Hickory Plains area the rest of their lives, raising a family of seven children. Surviving her house once being blown away from around her and her children by a tornado in 1952 and later surviving a terrible house fire, Annie Belle endured harrowing and tragic experiences during her lifetime but never lost her faith. She was a charter member of the Original Church of God in Des Arc and later in life, when able, attended Gospel Mission Church. She is preceded in death by her parents, Lum and Mary Stell; three brothers, S.G., Melton, and Johnny Stell; two sisters, Dora Mae (Stell) McArthur and Mary Lou Stell; husband K.J. McArthur; two daughters, Mary Bell Davis and Luella Thomas; and one son, Kenneth McArthur. She is survived by one brother, Robert (Myrtle) Stell of Sherwood; two sons, Loyce K. (Charlotte) McArthur of Carlisle and Doyce Lee (Barbara) McArthur of Gravel Ridge; two daughters, Clara Mae Clark of Hickory Plains and Opal (Bob) Crider of Crossroads Community; 13 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; many other family members, and countless friends. Family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday at Westbrook Funeral Home, Beebe. Funeral will be 10 a.m., Saturday, September 8, 2012, at Gospel Mission Church in Des Arc, with burial in Hickory Plains Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest beside her husband. There will be no graveside service. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Hickory Plains Cemetery, P.O. Box 277, Hickory Plains, Ark. 72066. www.westbrookfuneralhome.com.

Published September 5, 2012

Upcoming Events