Virgie Lee Arivett

Virgie Lee Arivett, age 96, of Glenwood, went to be with her Lord on Wednesday, December 24, 2025.

She was born on February 14, 1929 in Lodi to Richard and Irena (Cowart) Parker. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Jerald D. Arivett; her two siblings in early childhood; her three brothers, Clarence Parker, Clint Parker, and Hursel Parker; and her four sisters, Versie Tweedle, Willie Orrick, Inez Henson, and Pebble Waites.

She received Jesus in her heart at a young age. Virgie was a long time member of Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church and Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church. Later, after moving to Glenwood she joined First Baptist Church.

Virgie was in the Langley High School Class of 1947. She married Jerald on August 8, 1947. Shortly after they moved to Indiana to work. When Jerald’s mother became sick, they had to return to Arkansas to help Jerald’s dad and younger brother. They always cherished their time in Indiana and made forever friends.

She worked several years at the Glenwood Glove Factory. Later she and Jerald added chicken houses to their farm.

Virgie thought she needed more to do other than mowing, weed eating, tending to chickens, pets, geese, birds, cooking, and gardening so she started her floral adventure as a volunteer for Mr. Acie Allen. Later she learned floral arranging and became an employee. Eventually Mr. Allen retired and she bought Glenwood Florist and loved every year she was there. It was her joy.

She also loved to travel. Virgie and Jerald traveled to Germany to visit her daughter and son-in-law. Later in her 70s she went to Israel with her sister, daughter, and niece. She also visited Hawaii with her daughter and son-in-law.

After her husband passed on March 25, 1998, Virgie moved into town (Glenwood.) Her passion was her ‘’Parker Family,’’ especially Mother’s Day gatherings at the old family homeplace. Also working in her yard and growing flowers- her nieces and nephews were always there when she needed them.

One summer when her grandchildren came to Arkansas to wade the creek, explore the farm, and gave them green spray paint to paint the swing set but the paint ended up all over them. She called the radio station to see if anyone knew how to remove green paint off of kids. Jerald heard the radio station and came home to tell her about this woman- not knowing it was her.

She loved her animals- dogs, cats, birds, and geese. She had a special place in her heart for her last cat, Ms. Kitty, who lived with her at Oak Park (thank you Danny.)

Virgie was so very loved by all and will be missed by all that knew her.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Susan (Arivett) and Jerry Jones of Sierra Vista, AZ; her two grandchildren and their spouses, Eric R. and Odessa Jones of Atlanta Georgia and Kelly and Ben Hammer of Sierra Vista, AZ; her five great-grandchildren, Peyton Jones, Madelyn Jones, Jenna Hammer, Brodie Hammer, and Easton Hammer; and many loving nieces, nephews, extended family members and a host of wonderful friends.

Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, December 31, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Smith Family Funeral Home Chapel- Glenwood with Bro. Kyle Cowart and Bro. Ron Parker officiating.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 31, 2025 from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM at Smith Family Funeral Home Chapel- Glenwood.

Interment will be held at Lodi Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Dakota Long, Chris Johnson, Alan Davis, Ethan Blackmon, Kaleb Horn, and Kyle Callaway.

Honorary Pallbearers will be the loving and caring staff at Nightingale at Glenwood, Hospice Home Care, and Dougan’s Oak Park. Thank you for loving our Virgie.