Phyllis J. Arnold

Phyllis June Arnold, 80, of McPherson, KS, passed away peacefully with her daughter, Debra, at her side on December 22, 2017, at The Cedars.

Phyllis was born on October 26, 1937, in Wichita, KS, the daughter of William Edward and Marguerite (Buckley) Chambers. She was united in marriage to Lawrence Dwaine Arnold of Little River, KS, on May 1, 1954. They had two daughters, Debra and Kathy.

Phyllis and her husband built a home together outside of Derby, KS, and then renovated the old Arnold homestead (built in 1905) outside of Little River, KS. She was talented in construction and would have been a great contractor!

Phyllis was well known for her gentle touch in the lab at Memorial Hospital, where she worked for 33 years as a phlebotomist. She was a member of the McPherson Hospital Auxiliary and an EHU Chapter. She attended the First Baptist Church with her daughters. She loved music and made sure her children had the opportunity to play in the orchestra. She was a leader of her daughters’ Camp Fire Girls group. She always encouraged her daughters to be strong, independent women and to follow their dreams. She gave that same encouragement to her family and friends.

Phyllis was one of the most compassionate, generous, and loving souls to grace the earth. She always had a hand or an ear to lend, kind words for those in need of them, and a smile that could warm any heart. She loved angels, butterflies, pink roses, purple irises, and above all, she adored her family. Phyllis was an avid reader, enjoyed crocheting, creating crafts, and loved to play cards. She loved her time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Family always came first. Phyllis left the world knowing she was dearly loved, and with her family knowing she loved them deeply in return.

She is survived by her daughter, Debra Arnold, of Glenwood Springs, CO; and granddaughter, Melissa (Jason) Watkins, of Three Rivers, CA; and grandsons, Kristopher Rochelle, of Phoenix, AZ, and Brandon (Tristin) Rochelle, of Canton, KS; and great-grandchildren, Jacob and Camden of CA., Haven and Nova of Canton; her brothers, Donald (Lynda) Chambers, Wichita, KS, Edward (Carol) Chambers of Dyer, IN., and Gene (Joann) Redfield of Manhattan, KS, Carl (Jeannie) Chambers of Galva, KS; and her sisters, Vivian Chapman of Andover, KS, Susan Johnson of Moundridge, KS, Beverly (Darrel) Bryant of Galva, KS, Bonnie McGowan of Wichita, KS, and Nancy (Brent) Hamilton of Andover, KS; and step-mother, Helen Chambers of Andover, KS.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and daughter, Kathy Rochelle.

The visitation will be from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Thursday, December 28, 2017, at Stockham Family Funeral Home with family receiving friends from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. The funeral service will be at 10:30 AM, Friday, December 29, at First Baptist Church, McPherson. Burial will follow at Bean Cemetery, Little River, KS.

Memorial donations may be given to Girlsinc.org c/o Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460.

Phyllis will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Phyllis J. Arnold please visit our Sympathy Store.