Orine Smith - Arnold

Our mother Orine Smith was born the last of eleven children to William and Lula (Lucinda) Carter Smith in Vaden, Arkansas on August 25, 1929. For over 80 years she lived her life by the teaching of her parents, a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches; and having favor rather than silver and gold. She accepted Christ as her personal Lord and united with Vaden Baptist Church family. She attended Vaden Public School and later moved to Arkadelphia where she met our father, Bennie Lee. Believing God’s Word, “….and the two shall become one flesh….” she became Mrs. Orine Smith Arnold when she married our father Bennie Lee Arnold, Sr., and together they laid a solid foundation for our family life based on love, and commitment. They later moved to Mountain Pine, Arkansas and the Lord added to their union four children. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren affectionately called “Granny”. She made friends across race, gender, faith and creed; she freely offered wise counsel, gave generously to those in need and inspired everyone who crossed her path. Our family later moved back to Arkadelphia and mama joined Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church under the pastorate of Rev. Walter White and later moved her membership to Mt. Olive Baptist Church under the pastorate of Rev. A. William Terry. Her greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mama had an infectious laugh and a beautiful smile. She was a faithful member of the Gennesaret Baptist Church having joined under the pastorate of Rev. Charles D. Hood and served as church mother until her health would no longer permit her to attend. Our mother was a hard worker, who tried to give the best and do the best that she could. She was a former employee of Holiday Inn in Caddo Valley. At 12 midnight Wednesday, November 4, 2009, at St. Joseph’s Mercy Health Center in Hot Springs, Arkansas our mother received her blessing of immortality. We are confident and believed in God’s word that to be absent from the body, is to be present with the Lord. Those who have gone on before her are an infant son Willie Stephens, our father Bennie Arnold, Sr., five sisters, Arine Arnold – her twin, Hattie M. Stitt, Elvera Summerville, Leola Pigg and Emma Fites, four brothers Willis Smith, Columbus Smith, Farmer Smith, and Henry Smith. Because love is far greater than death we know she departs this earth in body only. Her gentle spirit lives on in the memories, minds and hearts of her children; Linda (Lee Otis) Box of Portland, OE, Bennie, Jr. (Shelia) Arnold of Marysville, WA, Rickey, Sr. (Shasta) Arnold of Everette, WA, and Glinda (Willie) Barton of Arkadelphia, AR; thirteen grandchildren, Darren Guinn, Sr., Leilani Buckley, LaRhonda Guinn, Lee Box, Jr., Rickey Arnold, Jr., Arsenio Buckley, Keasa Arnold, Xavier Arnold, Sintara Arnold, Willie Barton, Jr., Shanese Barton, Jennifer Brooks and Jeff Delp; twenty-two great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild; three adopted grandchildren, Tia Thomas, Roland L, Gosey, and Brian Johnson; a special niece Aline Culp of Arkadelphia, AR; special friends, Lois Conerly, Dorothy Howard and Florene Jones. She will also be missed by six sisters-in-law, Elizabeth (Herbert) Ross, Lucille Smith, Florence Brown, Annie Sue Bailey, Ester L. Arnold-Perry and Vera Mercer, one brother-in-law Enoch (Mary) Arnold and a caravan of nieces, nephews, cousins, countless friends, and the Gennesaret Baptist Church family. We give thanks to God, individually and collectively, for sending her into our lives. With Love Fulfilled, Linda, Bennie, Rickey & Glinda Mrs. Arnold will lie in state on Friday, November 13th from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the funeral home. The family will greet friends and share with them the Images of Life DVD on Friday from 6-7pm at Gennesaret Baptist Church, 1751 Logan Street. A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, November 14, 2009 at 12 noon in the sanctuary of Gennesaret Baptist Church. Rev. Charles D. Hood will preach the celebration message. The committal service and final resting place will be in Helms Cemetery. Bearers of the casket will be Damon Hart, Lee Hendrix, Keith Nelson, Tem Nelson, Enoch Arnold, Jr., Gerren Smith and DeShane Tatum. Honorary bearers of the casket will be the grandsons.