Alice Arnold passed away peacefully on September 30, 2025, just weeks after celebrating her 98th birthday. Hers was a life well-lived, full of family woven into the fabric of history. She was born September 5th, 1927, in Booneville, Mississippi, to Arilla and C.S. Walden, the youngest of four siblings. She graduated from Booneville High School in 1947 and worked at a variety of jobs in Booneville before marrying James “Jimmy” Arnold in 1956. They were married for 51 years. During their time together she worked at Caldwell Memorial Hospital and then at Farmers and Merchants Bank where she retired in 1992 as Head Cashier after 21 years working in their Bookkeeping Department. Retirement offered time to travel especially to visit grandkids. They enjoyed camping and she was a frequent spectator at local skeet shooting events when her husband was competing. Alice was a quietly independent person who enjoyed reading, sewing and gardening. Her grandsons and great grandchildren were her pride and joy. Alice was a member of the First Baptist Church in Baldwyn.
She is preceded in death by her husband, parents and siblings/spouses Nolan Walden (Virginia), Pauline Stennett (Arthur), JT Walden (Eloise).She is also preceded in death by brother-in-law, Richard Arnold and sister-in-law Jane Phillips, nieces Pam Arnold, Kay Freeman and nephew John Walden.
She is survived by her daughter Jamie VanOekel (Hans), grandsons Matthew VanOekel (Jennifer) and Gregory VanOekel (Keely) along with great grandchildren Jaxon, Alice, Hadley and Bode; nieces Beth Patterson (Roger) and Liz Phillips (Ronnie); nephews Dr. Ken Goodwin (Teresa), Bill Stennett (Missy) and Rick Stennett (Kristen) and dear friends Carol Allen, Vicky Moore and Martin Dillard.
A celebration of life led by Bro. Stanley Huddleston will be held at 3:00pm at Waters Funeral Home in Baldwyn on October 7th. Visitation will be from 1:00pm until time of service at 3:00pm.Burial will be at Booneville Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Beds For Kids Ministry (c/o of Mt Olive Baptist Church, 399 MS-30, Baldwyn MS, 38824) or First Baptist Church-Baldwyn (500 S 4th street, Baldwyn, MS, 38824).The family extends special thanks to the health care heroes of The Meadows-Fulton, Landmark Nursing and Rehab Center-Booneville and the North Mississippi Medical Center Inpatient Hospice. Be Devoted to One Another in Love.
Romans 12:10
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family @www.watersfuneralservice.com
