Birth date: Oct 5, 1946 Death date: May 1, 2020
The Story of Our Beloved Pop: Mr. George Henry Arnold III His Beginnings: “Lil George” While listening to the comforting, sweet, songful voice of his devoted wife of 55 ½ years, our beloved family patriarch, George Henry Arnold Read Obituary
As his daughter who is most like him it was indeed an honor to be able to assist him in his final days. Although nothing was unexpected it is still a great loss. Pop was indeed the best man I knew and truly a daughters first love. It was an honor for him to watch me take my first breath and an honor and blessing for me to watch him take his last! I truly miss him and all of his wisdom. Rest well Pop. You fought a great fight and I am forever proud of everything you did for God, your family and the community.
When George was born in October of 1946 I turned six that December. I was so excited to have another brother. Mama even let me help take care of my beautiful baby brother. As George our brother Melvin and I were home together. George was five and our mother was not home. Melvin kept after me to look up in our closet to see if mama had hid our Christmas toys up on the shelf in the closet. George kept telling Melvin to leave me alone. I finally got tired of him and pushed a chair up to the closet. Our closets only had a curtain hung on a iron pole to protect the clothing. As I swung up on the pole thinking it would hold me suddenly the pole came a loose and hit me on my head knocking me unconscious. I could hear George fussing at Melvin I couldn't move or open my eyes. My little hero ran downstairs and knocked on the wall until our neighbor came over to see what was wrong. George wet my face cloth and put it on my face. He kept yelling at Melvin telling him you killed my RoLee. I had to be taken to the hospital and I suffered a concussion. From that day on George became my little hero. He would protect me whenever Melvin would tease or aggravate me. I love him so. Even though I was the oldest he always remained my sweet hero.
My sincere condolences, to the Arnold Family:
Cece, I want you to know that you were a joy to your dad, and a huge comfort to. It’s sad to lose him, but I hope you feel good about the way you were there for him. I didn’t have the chance to know your father, but I know he must have been someone special to have raised an exceptional daughter like you. Keeping you and your family in my prayers.
Love and hugs
Mabel Penalver Diaz
Uncle George,
I love you. I love you for being a great brother to my father Yaqub. I love you for being a great example of how to overcome anything and persevere. I love you for being generous to those in need. I love you for the care and love you showed me. I lookEd to see you at Big Momma’s house arriving from some distant place. I have always been proud of you and wished to be in a family like the one you created. As an adult, I see life in many more colors. You are great example of what a man can and should be. The world would be better with more men like you.....warm, patience, peaceful, loving, kind and joyful and willing to lead and stay the course. You finish what you started. A job well done.
Mrs. Maisha Khabir Moton
In loving tribute to my uncle, George Henry Arnold III! Over the years, I have witnessed Uncle George in action as a dutiful son, devoted husband, loving father and cherished brother. He truly fought the good fight! His life and legacy of service, responsibility, and stewardship brings to mind the late great poet, Maya Angelou:
When Great Trees Fall
When great trees fall,
rocks on distant hills shudder,
lions hunker down
in tall grasses,
and even elephants
lumber after safety.
When great trees fall
in forests,
small things recoil into silence,
their senses
eroded beyond fear.
When great souls die,
the air around us becomes
light, rare, sterile.
We breathe, briefly.
Our eyes, briefly,
see with
a hurtful clarity.
Our memory, suddenly sharpened,
examines,
gnaws on kind words
unsaid,
promised walks
never taken.
Great souls die and
our reality, bound to
them, takes leave of us.
Our souls,
dependent upon their
nurture,
now shrink, wizened.
Our minds, formed
and informed by their
radiance,
fall away.
We are not so much maddened
as reduced to the unutterable ignorance
of dark, cold
caves.
And when great souls die,
after a period peace blooms,
slowly and always
irregularly. Spaces fill
with a kind of
soothing electric vibration.
Our senses, restored, never
to be the same, whisper to us.
They existed. They existed.
We can be. Be and be
better. For they existed.
― Maya Angelou
Copyright ©️ 2015 by The Estate of Maya Angelou
All rights reserved.
Published in the United States by Random House, an imprint and division of Penguin Random House LLC, New York.
Love always,
Brendalyn, Steven, and Maia
The Word Family
I was deeply saddened by Pop's loss. I have known the family since I went to college with Pinky. We were roommates and still remain like sisters to this day. I have learned so much from Pop. One of the most valuable lessons I learned from him was how to manage money. I can tell you that he should have taught a master class for every day workers on money management. It was a gift. He was a devoted father - I observed the love he had for his family. Ot was quite admirable. I pray that I will be able to hold down my own family the way he did his. Heaven has gained one of the most loving man that I have ever know. Yup, he was one of the great ones!!! You will forever be in my heart!!Take your rest Pop, well done! You were a faithful servant of the Lord!!!😘😘😘😘
Though I never knew Mr Arnold personally, I feel as though I did through his beautiful daughter (and my very dear friend), Cynara. I’ve heard so many wonderful stories about this terrific man. He was a true “warrior” in his fight for life. Though it’s difficult and heart wrenching to lose a loved one, it is a gift to know that he now walks with God in peace.
To the family, our thoughts and prayers are with you during this sad time.
Thank you to all that have posted some kind words about my father and his Legacy on this memorial page. As his only son, this was a very difficult task for my Baby Sis to write with all of our input. We grieved, wrote, inputed, and grieved again while spending many late night hours ensuring that we captured Pop the honorable and obedient way. The format that we did was done by our classic " Arnold Six" way. It is long, meaningful, and designed to including a beginning, middle, and an ending. Some folks will feel like they should be either mentioned or their picture should have been included. This is about our beloved father's life and Legacy. Nothing more, nothing less....End of story from George H. Arnold IV
Mr. Arnold was always so nice and caring to me. I’ve know his daughter my dearest friend for over 30 years and I can say from my interaction with Mr Arnold and the warm family stories he was indeed an amazing man. I’m grateful to have met Mr. Arnold and seen his loving actions first hand. My prayer to his lovely and devoted wife Mrs Arnold and family and to my dearest friend Keisha continued peace through this transition. May his love and kindness continue to live in you. Lovingly. LaShaun
