Willie Lee Arnold

Willie Lee Arnold was born, August 15, 1932 in Yazoo, MS to Leroy and Nettie Arnold. 

Willie moved to Grand Rapids, MI in 1947. She was educated through the Grand Rapids Public School system. 

Willie was employed at the Pantlind Hotel for many years and then she went to work for Michigan Litho where she worked for 25 years until she retired. 

Willie accepted Christ at an early age where she worshiped at True Light Missionary Baptist Church under the tutelage of Reverend H.C. Toliver and Reverend W.L. Patterson. Willie loved the Lord with all her heart and enjoyed singing His praises as a faithful member of the Victory Chorus Choir. Willie served as a truthful servant until she took flight to heaven on Thursday, June 18, 2020. 

Willie was the proud birthmother to one son: Lewis Edward Arnold, three daughters: Gwendolyn Marie Harris, Katherine Mars, and Rayshena Arnold-Wilson. She was also a mother figure and mentor to all those who needed her. 

Willie loved spending time with her family, cooking, dancing, dropping knowledge, singing, and playing funny cards. 

Preceding Willie in death were her parents: Leroy Arnold and Nettie Miller, siblings: Willie C. Monroe, Sadie Mae Williams, Marie Lewis, and Dorothy Minter, daughter: Gwendolyn Marie Harris, grandson: Leonard Harris, great-grandson: Leonard Lloyd Rivas, and several cherished nephews and a niece, along with a very special friend Mary Lee Wilson. Left to cherish her legacy is her son: Lewis Edward Arnold, daughters: Katherine Mars, and Rayshena Arnold-Wilson, grandsons: Ellis Arnold, MonKeith Arnold, Darrick Arnold, granddaughters: Merrill Morgan of Atlanta, GA, Tashika Mars-McAlister, RayKeitta Arnold-Wilson, and De’Asia Wilson, great-grandsons: Carlito Arnold, Kenneth Arnold of Atlanta, GA, TaNiko Harris, Jaylin Harris, Elijah and Zion Morgan of Atlanta, GA, great-granddaughters: Brooklyn McAlister, Gwendalyn Keariah Harris, Angelina Arnold, Brazil McAlister, Drusilla Johnson, Bre’Awn McAlister, great-great-grandson: Jeremiah Harris, Léon Rico Arnold, and great-great granddaughter’s: Alexis and Ah’Lea Tate, Yecenia and Analiyah Arnold, siblings: sister: Hannah Reid of Wyoming, MI, and brother Clarence (Floria) Arnold of Grand Rapids, MI, and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, along with her True Light Baptist Church family. She will be missed by one and all that loved and knew her. 

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