Thelma Mae Arnold

Thelma Mae Arnold, 87, El Dorado Springs, was born in Kansas City Jan. 5, 1923, to Frank and Fannie Mae Tabor, the oldest of four children. She passed away Monday, Aug. 9, 2010, at Cedar County Memorial Hospital in El Dorado Springs.

Growing up on different farms in different places during the great depression, Thelma completed the eighth grade in public schools and acquired a solid education in life’s real meaning and matters.

Thelma married Grover Lee Scrutchfield in 1941 and gave birth to four sons.

Thelma was married in 1964 to Kenneth Kirk Arnold in Kansas City and worked with him on their tree nursery for several years before they moved to the Lake of the Ozarks and became owners and operators of the 5-81 Country Store.

She worked at American Can and Pratt and Whitney in Kansas City during the war effort. Thelma held many jobs over the years, sometimes two and three at a time. She was a waitress, Avon lady, seamstress, gardener, Cub Scout mother and a member of the Rebecca Lodge as well as an outstanding cook and canner of fine preserves.

She enjoyed the outdoors, especially fishing and gathering pecans in an open grove or blackberries in a tangled patch. Most of all, she enjoyed friend and family get togethers over a good card game. Never at a loss for a quick-witted response to most any remark, all those who knew her company, will miss her dearly for years to come.

A self-sufficient woman, Thelma enjoyed cooking and canning, sewing, crochet, embroidery, quilting, jewelry making, and ceramics, as well as playing cards, bingo, fishing, gathering berries and pecans. Thelma was kind hearted and generous, never turning away from family, friends and even strangers in need. She was tough and resilient, having survived cancer and other surgeries and illnesses over the years.

Thelma was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Fannie Tabor; first husband, Grover Scrutchfield; a son, Paul Allen Scrutchfield; her second husband, Kenneth Arnold; a stepdaughter Nancy Ruff; two brothers, Kenneth Tabor and Marvin Tabor; and one sister, Wilma Fae Williams.

She is survived by three sons - David, Edward and Thomas Scrutchfield; one grandson, Kirt; one step daughter, Mary Elaine Mizell; her step-grandchildren, Carol, Cathy, Christie, Leslie, Paul, Sarah and Heather; one sister-in-law, Barbara, and numerous step-great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews, Linda, Teresa, Melvin, Billy, Daryl, Pamila, Sandy, Ronnie, Bridget and Dale.

Graveside services will begin at 10 a.m. Friday morning, Aug. 13, at Garden City Cemetery under the direction of Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home.

Family will receive friends on Thursday evening from 6-7 p.m. at the Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home in El Dorado Springs.