Carole Jean Arnold

Carole was the daughter of the late George Jefferson and Fannie Powell Arnold of Davy and Welch, WV. Carole was born March 14, 1932 in Marytown, WV and grew up in Davy, WV. She was a graduate of Welch High School, class of 1950 and Jefferson Business School.

Carole’s first employment was secretary for Welch Plumbing and Heating; then financial secretary for Welch Emergency Hospital; and financial secretary for Yeager Ford. In 1979, she became a Deputy Clerk in the McDowell County Circuit Clerk’s office working in the courtrooms for the circuit judges until her retirement after 27 years of service.

At the age of 14, Carole won a contest offering free piano lessons. So strong was her love of music that she regularly rode the train from Welch to Bluefield to take the piano lessons. Carole easily moved from piano to playing the organ which became her favorite instrument.

At the age of 16, she started playing the organ for church services at the Davy Methodist Church. In September 1963, Carole became the organist for First United Methodist Church in Welch where she played for over 60 years. Carole was also a member of the community chorus, the Wesleyan Service Guild and the Chaminade club, holding many offices including president.

Carole led an accomplished life defined by love and service. Carole was devoted to her family and she was extremely proud of her family legacy of her father working as a coal miner and her mother being the family homemaker who cooked gourmet meals and wonderful desserts from scratch and made all their clothes. Together, her parents raised 9 children, with many generations of descendants.

After the death of her father, Carole selflessly cared for her mother for over 20 years until her mother’s death. Carole also provided care and assistance to three older sisters during their later lives. Carole loved planning family reunions, birthday celebrations, decorating the church for events, music and music programs, flower gardens, her doll collection and sending and receiving cards and telephone calls from family and friends.

The family is grateful for the long and loving life they shared with Carole and rejoice that her spirit rests eternally in the presence of God, surrounded by the cloud of family that have gone before including her parents and her brothers and sisters and their spouses: William E. and Wanda Arnold, Sr.; George T. and Crissie Arnold, Sr., Russell F. and Juanita Arnold; Evelyn and Paxton Walker; Nannie and Wilburn Stone; Jamie and Theodore “Ted” Ellis; Florence and Millard Short and Virginia and H.C. Nichols; and other extended family members and many friends.

Carole is survived by her nieces and nephews: Martha and Sam Moore; Arnold and Cheryl Walker: Susan and Paul Lawson; Linda and Thomas Mooney, Sr.; Patricia and Alan Noll; Marilyn and Richard Meyers; Debbie and Walter Cooper; Patricia and James Brady; Mrs. Vicki Green; Mrs. Nancy Repaire; George T. Arnold, Jr, and many loved great and great, great nieces and nephews and extended family.

A celebration of Carole’s life will be held Saturday, November 9, 2024 at 3:00 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 125 Virginia Avenue, Welch, WV. Visitation will be at 2:00 p.m., before the service. The Reverend Brad Davis will officiate. Honorary Pallbearers are Dennis Hardy, James Redmond, Kenneth Evans, Michael Callaway, Bob McKinney and James Daniels.

The family wishes to give a thank you to Carole’s special friends: Susan Hardy, Nita Dennison, Elena Muckenfuss, Beverly Finney, Judy Long, Rachel Justice, Betty Rice, Millie Cepelnik and James Daniels.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to Carole’s beloved church, First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 416, Welch, WV 24801.

The honor of serving Carole’s family was given to McEwen Funeral Service - Pineville Chapel of Charlotte, NC.