Teretha Arnett
Maureen Rovegno
We are greatly saddened by the news of Teretha Arnett’s passing:
Teretha Robinson Arnett, resident of Stroudsburg, PA and former resident of Chautauqua, NY, passed away on January 3, 2012, surrounded by family. She was a month shy of her 90th birthday. Mrs. Arnett was born Bonnie Teretha Arnett in Hickory, Mississippi to Lonnie Edgar and Gertrude Lawson Robinson on February 9, 1922. She attended Hickory Schools with her six brothers and sisters and enjoyed a happy life growing up on the family farm, Wickware. Her college studies were interrupted by World War II, when she took a job as personal secretary to the base commander at Camp Shelby in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. She met her future husband, Capt. Robert J. Arnett Jr. of the 86th Airborne Division, and their courtship led to marriage in 1942. After the war, the couple moved to her husband's home town of Uniontown, PA, where Robert resumed his banking career. Mrs. Arnett soon became active in social and civic organizations, and was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Uniontown. Years later, she shared her stories of the "culture shock" of moving from the south to the north.
A first son, Robert John Arnett III, died shortly after birth in 1944. A second son and daughter followed. In 1956, the family relocated to Chautauqua, NY. Her children attended Chautauqua Central School where Mrs. Arnett was active in the American Field Service Program, the PTA, Boy and Girl Scouts, and was an MYF leader at Hurlbut Church. After her children went to college, Mrs. Arnett worked for the Old First Night offices during the summer under the direction of "Doc" John Reed. In 1972, she accepted a job as office manager for a philanthropic organization located in Chautauqua. The provision was made for her to have Monday afternoons free, so she could play her beloved bridge in Monday Club. Following her retirement, the Arnetts spent winters in the south, finding favorite spots on the Carolina coasts. Following the death of her husband in 1993, Mrs. Arnett continued to reside in Chautauqua. Her volunteer work included WCA Hospital in Jamestown, the Mayville Food Bank, Chautauqua Fire Department Auxiliary, and the Summer Meals Program at Hurlbut Church. She served on the Foundation Board of the Westfield Hospital in conjunction with St. Vincent's Health Center in Erie. She traveled with her dear friend, Rose Piper, across Canada, the Panama Canal, and through Europe. She also traveled to England and Scotland with her family. In later years, Mrs. Arnett spent happy summers in Chautauqua together with family and grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert John Arnett, brother Ralph Robinson, sisters Margery Williams, Louise Craven, and Nell Stuart. She is survived by son Samuel L. (Cynthia) Arnett of Stroudsburg, PA and daughter Melissa Arnett (Philip) Carl of Raleigh, NC, three grandchildren, R. Evan Carl of San Francisco, Jonathan M. Carl of Atlanta, and Elizabeth Arnett Paille of Cleveland. Also surviving are one sister, Doreen Harrison of Meridian, MS, one brother Edgar Robinson of Hickory, MS, and a multitude of nieces and nephews.
She will be remembered for her positive attitude, devotion to family, and love of life. She never lost her sense of humor, and she never lost her southern accent. She will be sadly missed, but always remembered with a smile. The family is holding a private grave side service and will announce a summer memorial service at a later date. Condolences may be sent to Box H, Chautauqua, NY 14722.