Clara Irene Arnold

Clara Irene (Oaks) Arnold passed peacefully in the arms of her Lord and Savior October 3rd, 2019. She was born January 16th, 1928 in Jacksonville, Texas. She was the daughter of Clarence W. Oaks and Ester Lena Oaks Wells. Clara lived and raised her children in Richland Hills, Texas. The last year of her life she was a resident of the Decatur Medical Lodge located in Decatur, Texas.

She was preceded in death by her parents, loving sons: Darwin (Bert) Arnold and William David Arnold, her brothers: James H Oaks, Thomas Oaks, Calvin Wells, and Clifford Wells, and her sisters: Ellenor Oaks West, Mary Sue Oaks Lenord.

Clara is survived by her sisters: Lena Parker, Mattie Locke, and Ruth White; and daughters: Cynthia Gridley (Bob), and Janice Moore (Kerry).

Her pride and joy are her grandchildren: Kaylee Kemery,Christopher Bueto, Briana Davis, Katheryn French, Chloe Davis, Kelsey French, and Kristina French; great grandchildren Jude Arnold, Megan Thomas, Lauren Rider, and Kevin Davis Jr; step grandchildren Melissa Parnell and Keith Moore; and step great grandchild William Parnell.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Decatur Medical Lodge Activities Fund, Decatur, Texas. Clara always looked forward to the daily activities and fellowship provided by DML Event Planner Kathy Matheson, along with the volunteers. She enjoyed playing 42, bridge, bingo (when she won), and singing along with the piano and karaoke. Her favorite song to sing was "Amazing Grace". With her roommate, Charlene Shurvet, whom she loved with all her heart, they would sing in their room together.

She retired as a CNA at age 70. Her gifts of talent in life were many. We were so blessed with beautiful art work, quilts, dolls, hand creations, gardening, and a list of so many other talents.

In closing, a word of encouragement-

It is a belief that we are all in one of three places at any time in our life. Either we are in a valley, going through a rough time, or we are on top of a hill, rejoicing having made it out of the valley, or we are unknowingly getting ready to go into the valley. The 23rd Psalm is often read at funerals, and in the body of that Psalm, David writes: "Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me." How long we spend in the valley is up to us. We can go it alone or allow God with His infinite wisdom and comfort to guide us out. please understand, it is not just the family but all of us here today are walking through that valley having been affected in some way by Clara's death. It is comforting and reassuring to know that although we are all in this valley together, holding on to each other with one hand and holding the lord with the other hand, and allowing Him to guide us out of the valley.