Obituaries

Keeta Arnold

Photo of Keeta Arnold
Keeta Arnold, 85, died April 19, 2016. She was born March 24, 1931 in Camden, Arkansas and was named Marquetta Jo. She was the only child of Tommy and Elsie Kinard. She attended High School in Hot Springs and was a three year graduate of Henderson State Teachers College (now HSU) in Arkadelphia. She earned majors in Psychology, Speech/Drama and English, was a member of Beta Mu Chapter of Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority, recipient of Wilma Wilson Sharp National Award from the Henderson Chapter. She was also one of nine students from Henderson to be selected for Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities her Senior year. She was a charter member of Theta Alpha Phi (National Drama Fraternity). Keeta and Billy Bob Arnold were married August 24, 1952 and settled in Pine Bluff. She taught the first advanced English classes and was a director of the Speech and Drama Departments at the Pine Bluff High School. She also taught prep. classes for GED certification. She and her husband were very active in civic affairs and were charter members of the Pine Bluff Little Theatre. The couple had three daughters --- Mechele, Mone' and Camille, fondly known as Chele, Monee' and Camel by their parents. When the girls were in grades two (2), three (3) and four (4) the family moved to Fayetteville so Billy Bob could earn a Law Degree. During those three years Keeta was employed as a Social Worker for the Fayetteville School System and also earned her Masters Degree in Counseling. In 1969 the family chose to settle permanently in Rogers where she enjoyed a long career as a Counselor at the Rogers High School. She also taught night and summer Speech classes for ten (10) years at the Rogers branch of the North Arkansas Community College prior to the establishment of NWACC; and, she enjoyed administering state required testing of home schooled students for twelve (12) years. She was honored to belong to the following organizations: 1st class of State Private Licensed Counselors, former member of Rogers Panhellenic Association, former member of Delta Kappa Gamma, former member of BK Chapter of PEO, 50 year member of Order of Eastern Star (Hot Springs Chapter), President of Central United Methodist Church United Methodist Women, President of First United Methodist Church United Methodist Women, FUMC Esther Circle Chairman, Stephen Minister, Life Member and District Director of Arkansas Federation of Garden Clubs – South Central Region, Arkansas Federation of Garden Clubs Circle of Roses and Meritorious Service Award, as well as former President of Garden Club of Rogers. She was passionate about her love for and devotion to her family, cherished memories of her (almost) fifty years of marriage, her faith and Church (Rogers First United Methodist), her home, her friends, animals (especially dogs), the Garden Club of Rogers, and traveling. She is survived by beloved children, Mechele and Jim White, Mone' Arnold and Camille and Rick Wilcox---grandchildren, Steed White, Nikki and Robert Suchy, Zack Wilcox and family---great-grandson, Caleb Suchy---one nephew and one cousin---her "soul mate" and designated sister, Diane Orlicek---and her devoted "guardian angel" rescue puppy, Sugah.,The family is grateful to all of the staff at Jamestown and Circle of Life Hospice for their loving care. A Memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 22, 2016 at the First United Methodist Church in Rogers with Reverend Sandra Wanasek and Reverend David Bentley officiating. Memorials may be made at the donors' discretion.

Published April 21, 2016

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