Obituary of Betty Ann Arnold

Betty Ann Ramsey Arnold was born on October 26, 1935 to Warren and Daisy Ramsey in Jenny Lind, Arkansas.  Warren worked for Humble Oil (Exxon), so they moved around a lot during her growing-up years, finally settling down in Rusk County.  She was fun-loving and crazy, and I remember her telling of the one time she dyed her hair and it turned out green, as opposed to the “natural” blonde it was supposed to be.  Betty played bass drum in the marching band and there were some pretty wild stories about band trips to the state fair . . .

Betty’s brother, Bobby, was building a hot rod, and little Eddie Arnold would come over to help.  It soon became obvious that he was more interested in the hot mama than in the hot rod, and, in Ed’s words, they didn’t date – they just “assumed” each other.  On April 6, 1954 they decided it was time and they eloped to Kilgore and got married. 

Ed was in the Air Force during the first couple of years of their marriage and they eventually settled in the Houston, Texas area where Ed worked as a safety engineer.  Betty stayed at home with her children and her door was open to anyone in need.  Our family was very involved in church, and Ed and Betty both  worked with young people, building into their lives.  Some of our fondest memories are of the house full of kids - laughing, eating, working on cars and motorcycles, seeking advice, and just hanging out.  Health issues plagued her for most of her life but she faced them with courage, and carried on with life in spite of them.  Betty and Ed were an amazing example of long-term commitment and love to their children and those around them, and they recently celebrated 65 years of that commitment.

Betty is survived by her spouse, Ed Arnold, of Leander, Texas; her four children, Don Arnold, of Timpson, Texas; Lu Ann Erickson of Friendswood, Texas; David Arnold and wife, Christine, of St. Joseph, Missouri; and Amy Arnold of Cedar Park, Texas; her grandchildren, Dustin Arnold and wife Chelsea, of Longview, Texas; Ben Erickson of Grand Forks, North Dakota; Dillon Hausam, active U.S. Army and wife, Lyric; Cassidy Hausam and Haley Hausam of Cedar Park, Texas; her great-grandson, Drake Arnold, of Longview, Texas, not to mention the dozens of kids who consider themselves adopted by Ed and Betty.

A graveside service will be held April 27, 2019 at Pleasant Hill Cemetery on Highway 323 at 1:00 p.m. followed by a reception to be held at the New London Museum.  In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, The Shriners Hospital for Children, or a charity of your choice would be appreciated.  Dress casually – Mama always hated having to “wrestle that body into some clothes”.

Arrangements are being handled by Cottle Pearson Funeral Home in Overton, Texas.