Doris Fern Arnold

Doris Fern Arnold

Doris Fern Johnson Arnold, 94, of Independence, Missouri, passed away January 29th, 2024, peacefully, surrounded by her children at Brookdale Senior Community Center - her recent home for the past year and a half.

Doris was born on January 31,1929 to Roy and Enna Johnson in Marshall, Missouri. She was one of two children. Her family moved to Independence, Missouri her sophomore year where she attended William Chrisman High School and graduated in 1946. Soon, after graduation, she  married her high school sweetheart, Thomas Arnold. Their first two years of marriage, her husband served in the Navy. Doris was a devoted wife and mother to six children. Thomas D. Arnold (Lisa), Gerald W. Arnold (deceased), Deborah S. Shrout (Fred), Kenneth D. Arnold (deceased), Rebecca A. Hestand (Jeff), and John D. Arnold (Kenna). 

Doris never met a stranger and accepted everyone with an open heart, open arms (loved hugs) and the warmest of smiles. She was a member of the Community of Christ Park Congregation in Blue Springs, Missouri where she participated in the choir and volunteered typing the Sunday bulletin and later attended the 39th Street Congregation in Independence, Missouri which she attended most Sundays until the Covid Pandemic. 

Doris had a few part time jobs through the years, one being a lunch lady at a Blue Springs Elementary school. She also did some volunteer work at Truman Hospital - Lakewood in the gift shop. Her greatest accomplishments were being a homemaker and raising her six children with unconditional love, support and kindness. These qualities were also shown to her thirteen grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren. She was very proud of her family and would mention to everyone how "blessed' she was. 

Doris is preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Thomas Arnold, her parents Roy and Enna Johnson, her brother Robert Johnson, two sons, Gerald Arnold and Kenneth Arnold, and her granddaughter, Hannah Hestand Solce. 

Services for Doris will take place Monday, February 5, 2024, at Speaks Suburban Chapel, 18020 E. 39^th St., Independence, MO 64055. Family will  greet guests between the hours of 1:00 - 2:00 pm, for visitation. Funeral services will begin at 2:00pm. Doris will be inurned at Mound Grove  Cemetery in Independence, MO following the services. 

In lieu of flowers, family suggest contributions be made to Monarch Hospice in Doris’ honor.