Barbara Jean (Baker) Arnold

Barbara Jean (Baker) Arnold, 80, of Rossville went home to be with the Lord on Monday, June 7, 2021. Barbara was a devoted LPN of 19 years, and Kindergarten director/teacher at McFarland United Methodist Church (1969-1976). She attended Walker County Technical School, University of Chattanooga for Early Childhood Education, and School of Cosmetology. She graduated from Rossville High School in 1958 where she was voted homecoming queen. She loved spending time with family and friends as well as gardening, antiques, music, travel, and cooking. Barbara and I.O. served as youth coordinates at McFarland UMC for 16 years. She served as a short-term missionary of the United Methodist Church to several countries and taught Sunday school for 55 years to children, youth and adults.

Barbara was preceded in death by her mother, father and three brothers.

Survivors include her loving husband of 62 years, Irvin Otis (I.O.) Arnold, Jr.; three children, Karen Mathis (Jeff), Michael Arnold (Whitney) and Jeff Arnold (Allison). She was Nana to seven grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and her brother, Curtis (RoseMary) Baker.

Barbara and I.O. enjoyed 21 years of retirement and traveled to 45 different countries together. They made friends everywhere they went and kept in touch with many friends from Costa Rica and Switzerland.

A memorial service will be 1:30 PM Thursday at McFarland United Methodist Church with Rev. Gary Grogg and Rev. Wayne Cook officiating. Interment will follow at Tennessee-Georgia Memorial Park.

Visit www.heritagebattlefield.com to share condolences with the family and view memorial tribute.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to McFarland UMC to be used for local mission projects.

The family will receive friends 11-1 PM Thursday at McFarland United Methodist Church.

Arrangements by Heritage Funeral Home & Crematory, Battlefield Parkway.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.