Betty Marie Arnold

Betty Marie Hucker was born in Franklin, New Jersey on March 30, 1927 to Harry and Josephine Hucker. The family moved to Takoma Park when she was young. There, she met Russell B. Arnold in fifth grade at John Nevins Andrews School, but it was not until their Junior and Senior years at Takoma Academy that they began dating. While they were attending Columbia Union College Russell was drafted into the Army. It was during one of his leaves from the army that he drove Betty to a scenic overlook near Mt. Vernon and proposed. After Russell was discharged from the army, he and Betty were married on December 3, 1946 at the old Takoma Park Church. They lived with Betty’s parents after their marriage while Betty worked as a secretary at the Review and Herald and Russell attended college part time while also working at the Review and Herald. In the summer of 1949 they moved to California where Russell had been accepted into Loma Linda Medical School. While in California, their first two daughters, Donna and Linda, were born. After medical school they returned to Takoma Park where Russell started practicing in Silver Spring as a General Practitioner. They also had two more daughters while in Takoma Park, Pamela and Rhonda.

Betty was a dedicated full time homemaker and mother and kept busy taking care of her flock of daughters and husband Russell. In 1959 the family moved from Takoma Park to a new house that Russell and Betty built on Quaint Acres Drive in the White Oak area. That house was the focus of many happy family events, and the four girls have many fond memories of their childhood. One fond memory was gathering around the piano on Friday nights as Betty played the piano and the daughters sang songs. A favorite was “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.” Betty enjoyed the beach, and the family would spend time in Florida and Ocean City. The most notable trips were the two marathon cross county car trips in 1967 and 1970 where the challenge was to see as much of the United States as possible in the time Russell had squeezed out of his busy medical practice schedule. The year 1980 was also memorable when Betty and Russell managed to survive hosting three weddings in the same summer. Betty was a strong woman and was able to manage the lion’s share of child rearing necessitated by the demands of Russell’s medical practice. Russell and Betty became inseparable after Russell retired in 1995 and enjoyed increased time spent together. They could often be seen walking together hand in hand.

Betty and Russell attended Takoma Park Church for many years, but in their later years they transferred to the Spencerville Church where their daughters, Donna and Linda, attended. Betty was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Russell, in December 2006. Betty continued to attend Spencerville Church regularly with the assistance of Donna until decreased mobility prevented it.

After Russell’s death, Betty continued to live at home in the house she and Russell built. She greatly enjoyed visits from her daughters, seven grand-children, and six great grand-children. Betty also enjoyed watching the deer in her back yard and the birds on the bird feeder. Although usually very mild mannered, she did get provoked at the squirrel who raided the bird feeder, and had been known to shout “Get Away” at him from inside the house.

In April of 2016 Betty was no longer able to stay at home and became a resident of Hillhaven Nursing Center where she was well-loved by the staff. She reached 90 years of age on March 30, 2017. Her daughters hosted a celebration for her birthday, which was attended by many friends and relatives.

Betty Arnold passed away peacefully with two of her daughters and her “unofficial 5th daughter” Carolyn Leonard at her side on Thursday evening, August 10, 2017. Betty now awaits the trumpet call when she will be reunited with her beloved Russell and other family members and will see Jesus face to face.

Betty’s love of family and her beautiful smile were her most memorable attributes.

She is survived by her four daughters, Donna Arnold, Linda McNeill (Don), Pamela Van Noty of California and Rhonda Sharman (Daryl) of Delaware; seven grandchildren, Stephanie Sharman Bertaina (Andrew), Kristel Sharman Sheesley (Tom), Glenn Sharman (Joni), Travis Van Noty (Vanessa), Geoffrey Van Noty, Joanna McNeill Roe (David), Jonathan Sharman; and six great grandchildren, Sam Sheesley, Sadie Bertaina, Kate Sheesley, Julian Bertaina, Ben Sheesley, and Livia Sharman.