Born in Algoma, Mississippi, July 9, 1929, to William Hobert Rickman and Mildred Polk Rickman, Dovye grew up on the family farm nurtured by loving parents and grandparents. She attended Algoma High School and Mississippi State University, and was an active member of Monroe Presbyterian Church. Dovye married John Thomas Arnold and they shared many years together until his death in 1999. Blessed with a strong work ethic, Dovye served her family well as she contributed to their farming interests in Tunica and Pontotoc counties, as well as the daily operations of the Beckham school, where John Thomas worked as principal during the 1950’s and 1960’s. She spent many hours transporting family and friends from Pontotoc to Tunica to hoe cotton on their farm and returning them to Pontotoc each evening. From secretarial work to selling ice cream and chocolate milk, she was very involved in the activities of the Beckham school. Those days helped to prepare Dovye for her long tenure as school secretary at South Pontotoc Attendance Center from which she retired at age 81.
Dovye was preceded in death by her parents and husband, as well as her only sibling, Ann McDonald. Those left to cherish her memory: one daughter, Shirley Collums (Rickey); one son, JT Arnold Jr (Teresa); five grandchildren, Jimmy Collums (Donna), Kim Day (Heath), Luke Collums (Summer), Jake Arnold (Desi), Tyler Arnold (Maggie); 13 great-grandchildren, Savannah Day, Peyton Day, Matt Collums (Haleigh), Cortney Stieffel (Tim), Jaxon Collums, Sadie Collums, Sydnei Bramlett, Beckham Arnold, John Harvey Arnold, Isabella Arnold, Maeda Arnold, Hattie Arnold, Ike Arnold; two great-great grandchildren, Hayden Stieffel, Brooklyn Stieffel, and another great-great grand on the way in April; one niece, Linda McDonald Dobbs (Gary).
Services will be Monday, December 26, 2022, at 2:00, at the Browning Funeral Home chapel followed by interment at Old Monroe Cemetery. Bro. Kevin Wallace will officiate. Visitation will be from 12 to 2 PM Monday at the funeral home.
Pallbearers, Jimmy Collums, Luke Collums, Matt Collums, Heath Day, Jake Arnold, Tyler Arnold. Honorary pallbearers: Peyton Day, Tim Stieffel, Jaxon Collums, Beckham Arnold, John Harvey Arnold, Ike Arnold.
Memorials may be made to Old Monroe Cemetery Fund ℅ Shawn Sheffield 100 Wallfield Road Pontotoc, MS 38863; Sanctuary Hospice 5159 West Main Tupelo, MS 38801; Regional Rehab Center 615 pegram Drive Tupelo, MS 38801
