Dolores (Arnold) Whitten

With heavy hearts and deep love, we remember Dolores Imogene Arnold Whitten, born on February 6, 1933, on the outskirts of Bowie, Texas. At the age of 91, Dolores peacefully passed away on January 20, 2025, at her home in Willis, Texas, leaving behind a legacy of love, kindness, and cherished memories.

The youngest of nine children born to Albert Woodson and Lela Mae (Goins) Arnold, she spent her early years on the family farm until the age of 12, when she and her parents moved into Bowie. She graduated from Bowie High School in 1950, fulfilling a promise to her father that all of his children would earn their high school diplomas.

Dolores married in 1950 and joyfully welcomed her sons, Danny in 1952 and Randy in 1955. In 1958, Dolores moved to Houston with her sons, where she worked as an executive secretary for a period of time. In 1963, she married her beloved E.W., and together they shared 61 years of unwavering love and devotion. They welcomed Melinda in 1966 and then moved from Houston to Splendora in 1969. In 1973, they welcomed their youngest child, Woody. Together, they created a life full of memories in Splendora until 2018, when they made the move to Willis.

Dolores dedicated herself to her family, always putting them first. As a homemaker, she created a warm and loving environment for her loved ones, and her talent for cooking was unmatched. Inspired by her son-in-law Stephen, she even published a family cookbook, preserving treasured recipes for generations to come. In addition to cooking, she enjoyed quilting, collecting cookbooks, playing various games with family and friends, especially 42. She also loved wearing pastel colors, especially purple.

A lifelong member of the church of Christ, Dolores faithfully worshipped at several congregations over the years, including the Porter church of Christ, Westside church of Christ in Cleveland, and Conroe church of Christ. Her faith in the Lord was a constant throughout her life, and she was ready to go home to Him when her time on earth came to an end.

Dolores was preceded in death by her parents, her four sisters—Lorena Gholson, Oleta Sandlin, NaDean Arnold, and Eloise Mershon—and her four brothers—Lofton Arnold, Kenneth Arnold, Joe Arnold, and Wayne Arnold. She was also preceded by her infant daughter, Dianne Dodson; her sons, Danny Dodson and Randy Dodson; and her granddaughter, Devon Dodson.

She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 61 years, Enoch Webb (E.W.) Whitten; her daughter, Melinda (Stephen) Camp; her son, Woody Whitten; her grandchildren, Tammy (Randy) Veach, Chad Dodson, Christopher (Erin) Camp, and Cameron (Ashley) Camp; her great-grandchildren, Meagan (Trey) Veach, Cassandra (Burton) Browning, Sarah Alfieri, William Dodson, Evan Lawrence, Madilyn Dodson, Riley Harper, and Cade Camp; great-great-granddaughters, Caylin Ash, Layla Ash, and Serena Alfieri; daughter-in-law, Debbie (Randy) Dodson; her special niece, Betty Thornton Brown; and numerous nieces and nephews who held a special place in her heart.

Though her family will deeply miss her, they find comfort in knowing she is now at peace and whole again. May her memory bring peace and solace to all who mourn her loss.

Services will be held at Brookside Funeral Home & Memorial Park, located at 13747 Eastex Freeway, Houston, TX 77039. A visitation for family and friends will be held on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, from 1:00-2:00 PM. A Celebration of Dolores’s life will immediately follow at 2:00 PM, concluding with a graveside service.

As it was in the beginning, so it was in the end. Dolores was born during a north Texas blizzard, and she left this world as snow gently fell again, a fitting and beautiful reflection of her life's full circle.