Betty John Cobb Arnold-Blakeley

LONGVIEW — Betty Arnold-Blakeley, 78, of Longview, passed away August 8, 2016 in Longview. She was born February 8, 1938 in Overton, TX to John Henry Cobb and Elizabeth Emma Norwood Cobb. She married James Richard Arnold, Sr. on January 1, 1954. He preceded her in death on April 22, 1998. She later married James Richard Blakeley November 1, 2002. She worked for Pine Tree ISD in foodservice for 42 years. Betty was a loving Christian mother; she was very involved with her children and their friends. She would always volunteer to be a room mother at Pine Tree School and served as a leader for the Campfire girls. She had a love for all children. Betty loved to play cards and board games with her family, anything that allowed her to spend time with her family, sing, dance and play the piano, gardening and competing in chili cook-offs. Betty had a love for people, she always saw the good in a person and was always there when you needed someone to talk to.

She is survived by her husband, James Blakeley of Longview; daughter: Karen Arnold-Weldon and her husband, Joe of Longview; son: James Arnold, Jr. and his fiancée, Pam Calhoun of Longview; daughter: Jana Arnold-Tisdale and her husband, Lloyd of Conroe, TX; son: Jason Arnold of Longview; stepsons: Pike Blakeley and his wife, Suzanne of Hallsville, Bret Blakeley of Hallsville, Richard S. Blakeley of Longview, Chad Blakeley and his wife, Tammy of Hallsville; grandchildren: Jodie Bartell, Emily Cox, Amanda Gray, Michael Arnold, Brandon Arnold, Brooke Verinder, Gerritt Tisdale, Lauren Congdon, Nicholas Arnold, April Joseph, Ashlie Hall, Dillon Arnold; five step-grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; cousins: Jimmy Ray Flemons and Julia Stegall as well as a number of extended family members. She is preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, grandson: Jarrod Weldon; step daughter: Schaylon Brooke Blakeley and two brothers: James Ray Flemons, Sr. and Marion Lyndell Flemons.

Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. today, August 11, 2016 at Lakeview Funeral Home. A celebration of her life will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, August 12, 2016 at the Cowboy Church of Harrison County, Hallsville, with Joe Hall officiating. Interment will follow at Lakeview Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be: Brad Cox, Brandon Arnold, Dillon Arnold, Tim Verinder, Bret Blakeley, and Michael Arnold. Alternate pallbearers will be Joe Weldon and Lloyd Tisdale; honorary pallbearers will be: Gerritt Tisdale, Brad Congdon, and Matt Bartell.

The Arnold and Blakeley families would like to thank the nurses of Select Specialty Hospital and Good Shepherd Medical Center for the loving care given to Mrs. Betty during her time of need.