Arlia A. Caviness

Arlia Agnes Wilson Caviness passed into eternity on August 22, 2018, at the age of 97. She was born on May 28, 1921, in the small town of Sleeper, Missouri, to John Alfred Wilson and Nina Agnes Bingman Wilson. She was the second child, following her older brother, John David “JD.” Two younger brothers, William Dale and Earl Lloyd (“Jack”), completed this family. Arlia also had two older half-brothers, Jacob Lewis Wilson and Daniel Alfred Wilson.

Arlia met Alfred Caviness in 1934. After a few years, and a few dates, he asked her to marry him. They eloped on August 16, 1938. Arlia was only 17 so she was chaperoned by her mother’s sister, Aunt Emma. When she returned home, her father wanted to know what she was doing with that man. It was then that she introduced her dad to her husband.

Arlia worked in a factory where they made overalls in Lebanon, Missouri. When the war broke out, her job changed from making overalls to making pants for servicemen.

In May of 1942, Alfred and Arlia moved to San Diego, California. She went to work for Consolidated Air Craft making bomb bay doors for planes dropping bombs. Alfred worked in the shipyards building ships.

Due to health reasons, they moved to Coulee Dam, Washington, where they worked on the Grand Coulee Dam. Being government employees, they went back to California in 1944, living in Richmond. Alfred worked at Mare Island repairing hospital ships, and Arlia received old guns and issued new guns to incoming ships. At the end of the war, they moved back to Coulee Dam. Arlia worked at the dam as a secretary and Alfred was a security guard at the dam. She worked there until she was expecting their only child, Barbara Jean, who was born on December 25.

In 1955, the family moved to The Dalles, Oregon. In 1983 Alfred passed away, but Arlia continued working for School District 12, retiring in 1993. She also worked as a substitute employee for several years, and became a “snowbird” until 1997 when she moved to Arizona to live with her daughter.

Arlia had many other jobs—waitress, cook’s helper, school cook, working for a magazine distributor to being an offset printer. She worked for The Dalles RAM Center for many years.

Arlia was involved in many activities, including delivering Meals on Wheels and being active in the Gleaners. She became one of the best bread bakers and loved giving a loaf of bread to friends or family and occasionally selling at yard sales. Along with this, she was an incredible seamstress. She would sell her pinafore towels and other creative items at craft shows as well as to friends and family. Her profits helped pay for the next vacation.

She was an active and faithful member of Emmanuel Baptist Church in The Dalles, Oregon. She served as the church treasurer for 30 years, was a leader and member of the Women’s Missionary Union, and was a nursery worker and Sunday School teacher. After moving to Arizona, she became a member of Grace Bible Church in Sun City. She loved her Bible Study Class and the praying, loving people of her church.

Arlia was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, half-brothers, and her husband. She is survived by her daughter, Barbara, adopted daughter, Marla Travis (Jerry), granddaughter Sarah Corradino (Nick), and grandson Stephen Travis (Kaddron). Arlia was blessed with many nieces, nephews, great- and great-great nieces and nephews. She was known as “Mom” to many close friends, and many adopted her as mom.

We are very thankful to Hospice of the Valley, specifically Nurse Jeannine, Nurse Heidi, Millie, Diane, Tammy, Rebecca, and Barbara.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in Arlia’s name to Hospice of the Valley or Grace Bible Church Choir, Deaconesses, or Needles of Grace.

A service will be held on October 12, 2018 at 11:00 am at Grace Bible Church, 19280 N. 99th Ave, Sun City, Arizona 85373.