M. Evelyn Arnold

Longtime resident of Antelope Valley, Evelyn Arnold, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on April 23, 2013. She was born in Pine Bluff, Ark., May 6, 1935. She married her husband, Earl in February 1956. Shortly after, he joined the U.S.A.F. They lived in New York, Florida, and Northern California prior to being transferred to Edwards AFB, Calif., in Southern California in the early 1960’s. While at Edwards, they were blessed with two children Anthony and Pamela. In 1970, they transferred to Tinker AFB, Okla., where Earl passed away suddenly in 1971. With two young children, Evelyn decided to move back to the Antelope Valley. She began working at the California Employment & Development Department, and at the same time, attended Chapman University. She graduated in 1974, with a Bachelor’s Degree and the same year began working at Edwards AFB as a Staffing and Employee Management Relations Trainee. After her children completed high school, Evelyn accepted an assignment at Clark AFB in the Philippines in 1985. Although she loved living and traveling abroad, her love for her firstborn grandchild brought her back to the U.S., in January 1989. Her career spanned through her retirement in 1998, where she retired as a Sr. Employee Management Relations Specialist. Evelyn has always been civic and community minded. She was active in her children’s activities (Lancaster Youth Football, El Dorado Little League, YMCA, Cub Scouts, Brownies, and PTA. In addition to her children’s activities she was active in the community. She was a member of the Tri Valley Business and Professional Women’s organization in which she served as Legislation Chairman and Vice President before becoming the groups President. She was nominated by Tri Valley BPW as a Woman of Achievement candidate. She was a charter member of the Lancaster Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority in which over the years she has held the positions of President, Vice President, and for many years she was actively involved in the Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy Program for Afro-American young ladies ages 11-15. Evelyn was a member of the Antelope Valley Black Heritage Council, Antelope Valley NAACP, and the National Council of Negro Women. She was a founding member of the Act 7 Social Club which was instrumental in bringing numerous R&B artists/entertainers to the Antelope Valley during the late 1970’s early 1980’s. Evelyn is survived by her son, Anthony of Reseda, Calif., her daughter Pamela Sneed (Dwight) of Palmdale, Calif., and their four children Dorian, Dominique, Dwight Jr., and Desmin. Her siblings include her brothers George Crane (Conny) of Lancaster, Calif., and Jerome Hale (Joyce) of Chicago, Illinois, and her sister, Marva Williams of Lancaster, Calif., and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Earl, her mother Louvenia Watson; her father, Lorenzo Williams; her aunt Ikey Jones; and cousin, Lawrence P. Jones. A birthday memorial celebration of life will be held for her from 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, May 7, 2013, at John P. Eliopulous Hellenic Center, Lancaster. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to her two favorite charities, Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy or JoElla Wilson Educational Scholarship Fund c/o DST Lancaster Alumnae Chapter, P.O. Box 1861, Lancaster, CA 93534. Arrangements entrusted to Joshua Memorial Park & Mortuary, Lancaster.