Phyllis Jean Arnold

Ava, Missouri

Phyllis Jean Arnold was born September 26th, 1929 in Mahaska County, Iowa to Everett Ray (Pat) Dunwoody and Dorothy Lamone (Poe) Dunwoody and was carried home on Angel wings as she passed peacefully into heaven September 4th, 2023 at Cox South Medical Center, Springfield, Missouri.

It was a blessing that a great number of her family spent her last few earthly hours by her side. Her hospital room became a sanctuary of God's presence as songs and prayers accompanied her transition from earth to glory. God's children die well and death is swallowed up in victory!

Phyllis grew up on a farm outside Eddyville, Iowa where she was schooled in the nuts and bolts of hard knocks, and she was also taught a work ethic that carried her thru her life right up to the end which set a standard for all who "came behind her". She didn't slack and she wouldn't let anyone else either. Many of Ron's crew called her "Sarge" (affectionately, I'm sure). And as recent as two weeks ago she sternly admonished one man, "You have ONE JOB-NOW DO IT RIGHT!

On February 9, 1947, Phyllis and Ivan Arnold were united in marriage in Eddyville, Iowa and together they had three children; Lois, Wanda, and Ron.  They celebrated nearly sixty years together.

Phyllis retired but never quit working; as we all know.

She was a Christian and faithfully attended the Church of God (Holiness) at Mt Zion for many years. Following years of ministry as a pastor's wife and Sunday School teacher she brought her helping hands to MZBS and continued to minister in so many ways they are too numerable to count. The lives and testimonies of the people she impacted will tell their own story and will continue to leave it's mark even in death.

She cooked, cleaned, and was a reading coach, school bus driver, caregiver, bookkeeper, and a force to be reckoned with.

Words written in an obituary seem small in the light of such a large life lived so fully.

Phyllis loved going to church and loved hearing her family preach, sing, teach, and play music. Her family was her whole life and she loved us all; just as we were. She praised our accomplishments and straightened out our wrinkles; then gave us a Popsicle.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Ivan, her son, Ron, and other loved ones close to her.

Phyllis is survived by her daughters and their spouses; Victor and Lois (Arnold) Kilgore of Ava, Dean and Wanda (Arnold) Greenwood of Columbia and her daughter-in-law Rebecca (Bryant) Arnold; as well as her loving extended family Norman and Linda Murray; grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and a host of dear friends.

Funeral services for Phyllis will be Tuesday, September 12, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. at the Mt. Zion Auditorium, 13359 O'Brien St. (Mt. Zion Bible School Campus) Ava, MO with burial following in the Mt. Zion Cemetery.  Visitation will be Monday, September 11th from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at the Clinkingbeard Chapel, Ava, MO. Officiating will be Pastor Dean Greenwood and Pastor Trey Dodsworth. Memorials may be made to the Mt. Zion Bible School, Rt. 1, Box 48, Ava, MO 65608.