Arnold, Edith J.

Edith “Jean” Arnold, 85, of Dallas and Plano, peacefully slipped away on Sunday, February 3, 2019 after her long battle with diabetes. Born September 27, 1934 at home in Houston County near Crockett Texas, Jean was the oldest of 5 daughters born to Eldrid and Arlene Keen. The Keen family moved to Dallas during her early childhood where Jean delighted in the close proximity of her large extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins, nieces and nephews.  Family gatherings were a weekly occurrence with home cooked meals spreads across all the tables in both the kitchen and dining room, sports being played out in the yard, and babies being rocked to sleep.  Three generations of Keens slept under the same roof, and the love, and hard work, abounded. Jean graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School, Class of ’52. Just a few short years later, Jean married Robert Sanders, and was blessed with the birth of her 2 sons – Roger in 1954 and Randy in 1958.  In true form, Jean stepped into the maternal role she was most perfectly equipped to excel in as mother to her boys, who through her eyes, hung the moon. Whether it was serving on committees at the boys’ school, championing community projects, or arranging family events for their extended family, Jean epitomized a servant’s heart. No favor was too large, no project too difficult, and no service too great to deliver to those in need, or those she loved.  Jean was an extraordinary hostess, and wherever she went, there was always lots of laughter, plenty of fun, and an open door that welcomed all who entered. During her sons’ school years, the Sanders home was often the gathering spot of classmates, and there was never a lack of great meals, camaraderie and plenty of love. Christmas was a series of extended events with gifts for all, and plenty of donations for those in need. Once the boys were grown and gone, Jean’s circle of friends continued to grow, and with more free time to pursue her own interests, Jean developed an interest in real estate, and with her interest in business growing, she branched out into several other fields where she excelled in the oil and gas industry and in advertising and commissioned sales. Her magnetic personality and sense of style made her not only a terrific hostess, but also positioned her to excel at business ventures once primarily dominated by men. Jean was a trailblazer in the early years of direct mail advertising (via door hangers and targeted direct mail), acquiring many large accounts such as Pizza Hut, and AT&T along the way. In the evenings, Jean loved playing bingo, hosting penny-ante poker games or playing bridge with friends and family. On the weekends, she enjoyed visiting the track to watch the quarter horse races.  Jean and her second husband became quarter horse owners, and some of her favorite memories are of times at the farm where she would drive the golf cart, with all the children aboard, out to the barn to visit the mares and their babies. Jean led an extraordinary life with extended family she adored, friends who gave her life purpose, and children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews who enriched her soul with love beyond measure. Jean is preceded in death by her parents, Eldrid & Arlene Keen, sisters Dell Yvonne Keen, ElLene Chancey, and beloved aunts, Melba Ward, Doris Howard, Lee Goranson, Ardell Roach, Ethel Mae Hale, and uncles: Ernest and Vaugh Roe Howard. Jean is survived by her children, Roger & Julie Sanders, and Randy & Dee Sanders. By her sisters and their spouses – Geri & Ron Gosdin, and Kathy & Billy Martin. By her Grandchildren – Ashley & Jeremy Brown, Russell & Robin Sanders, Candice & Kevin Edmondson, and April Sanders.  And by her Great-Grandchildren, Everly & Lyla Edmondson, Emerson Sanders, Addison & Chloe Brown, and McKenzie and Avery Brittain.  Jean is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews and their families, who will remember her always. A Celebration of the Life of Jean Arnold will be held on Sunday, February 24^th at 2:00 pm at Gleneagles Country Club, 5401 W Park Blvd. Plano, TX  75093.  In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests donations to the American Diabetes Foundation. https://donations.diabetes.org/site/Donation2?df_id=18806&mfc_pref=T&18806.donation=form1  

Arrangements under the direction of:

ARIA Cremation Service and Funeral Home

19310 Preston Road

Dallas, Texas 75252

(214) 306-6700