Arvella Smith

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Arvella Smith, 82, went home to be with her precious Jesus and her loving husband Ray of 59 years. She passed away Wednesday, July 15, 2009, at Chaffee Nursing Center, surrounded by her loving family.

Arvella loved attending church, reading her Bible and watching Christian television. She enjoyed eating out and being with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was born Sept. 13, 1926, in Advance, Mo., to the late Benjamin and Lina Cato Brown.

Arvella was a member of Chaffee Assembly of God several years when the Rev. William Marshall was pastor. While attending the church she was Women's Missionary president, song leader, Sunday school teacher and nursery worker. She was a member of the Christian Mission Church of Benton, Mo.

Arvella married Ray Smith Feb. 29, 1948, in Piggott, Ark. He preceded her in death April 26, 2007.

Survivors include a son, Jim (Charlotte) Smith, and a daughter, Cathy (Harry) Imhoff, all of Chaffee; three grandchildren, Kim (Ryan) Pennington, Ami (Robert) Crouse, all of Chaffee, Matthew (Jessica) Trost of Advance; six great-grandchildren, Trenton Pennington, Kylea Pennington, Christopher Trost, Nicolas Crouse, all of Chaffee, Landon and Bronson Trost of Advance; two brothers, Charles Brown of De Soto, Mo., Eugene Brown of Dow, Ill.; and two sisters, Norma Felty of Chaffee and Shirley Wood of Fenton, Mo.

She was preceded in death by four brothers and two sisters.

Visitation will be after 4 p.m. Friday at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Chaffee.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the chapel, with the Rev. William Marshall officiating and the Rev. Matthew Butrum assisting. Burial will be in Union Park Cemetery.