She was born on July 8, 1922 in Mackville, KY to J.W. and Naomi (Sweeney) Arnold. Mildred graduated from Mackville High School in 1940 and from Centre College in Danville, KY in 1943, with a double major in Chemistry and Biology. After graduation, she worked as a chemist for Dupont in Louisville, KY.
While attending a U.S.O. dance in 1944, Mildred met the love of her life, Henry (“Hank”) J. St. Clair. The two courted through letters, as Hank was stationed at Fort Knox, KY during World War II. They were married on July 12, 1945 in Louisville. After his discharge from the Army in 1947, Mildred and Hank moved to Jefferson City, MO and then to Kansas City.
They were blessed with three children who survive her: Michael (Barbara) St. Clair, Susan (Dennis) Ullery and Anne Johnson. She also leaves behind three grandchildren: Alex St. Clair, Megan (Joshua) St. Clair DeSmidt, and Karen (Brian) Ullery Williams, and one great-grandchild, Jacob DeSmidt.
In 1976, Mildred lost the love of her life when Hank succumbed to cancer.
Mildred was very active in her community and church. She became an early member of North Cross United Methodist Church in 1961, where she remained a member until her death. In 1967 and 1968, the family hosted a foreign exchange student from Denmark through American Field Service. Mildred was a life-long avid bridge player and played in several groups over the years. She belonged to numerous book clubs. She loved to travel with friends and went around the world on her journeys, including a trip to the Holy Land. Flowers and plants were a few of Mildred’s favorite things, and she lovingly tended her multitude of plants which brought her so much joy. She was active in her Sunday school class, in the American Association of University Women (AAUW), and was a devoted follower of the stock market through good times and bad. In 2017, Mildred willingly decided to give up her fiercely independent lifestyle and moved to McCrite Plaza. There she continued her activities, joining the welcoming committee, winning frequently at bingo, and enjoying bridge until her failing eyesight made it difficult to play. At 96, she decided she needed to learn how to play the handbells! She enjoyed Friday night happy hours with the other residents and never met a stranger.
Mildred was preceded in death by her parents, J.W. and Naomi (Sweeney) Arnold, brother Bill Arnold and sister Mabel Mayes Crain, her son-in-law, Daniel Johnson, and a host of close friends.
Mildred will be greatly missed by her family and friends, but her unwavering faith prepared her for her next journey and we have no doubt she is at peace.
