Phyllis Dean Arnold, 80, of Elizabethton, Tenn., passed away on Saturday, August 24, 2019, at Signature Health Care of Elizabethton following an extended illness. Phyllis was born in Elizabethton to the late Anders Odell “A.O.” Buckles and Daisy Smith Buckles. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Dennis Arnold, and her brothers, Troy and Norman Buckles.
Phyllis was a homemaker and a member of Dungan Chapel Baptist Church. She was an avid reader, gardener, storyteller and sports enthusiast. She was also quite a fact finder and searcher of how things worked. Phyllis and her husband were living examples of the Bible verse, 1 John 3-18, “Little children, let us not love with word or tongue but in deed and truth.” Though they did not have children by birth, they were blessed with a parent’s heart and love. They became parents to all the children in the family, any they met and any person who needed love, regardless of age. Her life was God’s given love of family, friends and children.
Phyllis is survived by a large extended family.
A graveside service to honor and celebrate the life of Phyllis Dean Arnold will be conducted at 10 a.m. Wednesday, August 28, at Happy Valley Memorial Park with Rev. Todd Hallman officiating. Those wishing to attend the service are asked to meet at the cemetery at 9:50 a.m. Wednesday. The family will receive friends in the chapel of Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, from 5 until 7 p.m. Tuesday, August 27. The family would like to especially thank the doctors and staff of Signature Health Care of Elizabethton and to Amedysis Hospice for the care and love shown to Phyllis during her illness. Online condolences may be shared with the family on our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com.
Phyllis and her family are in the care of Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton. Office: (423) 542-2232. Service Information Line: (423) 543-4917.