Joel Nathaniel Arnold, 87, beloved husband and father, died Saturday, May 5, 2018 at his home in Greenville. His funeral service will be 10:00 AM, Thursday, May 10, 2018 at Salem-Kinser United Methodist Church under the direction of Coker-Mathews Funeral Home with Rev. Bill Shaddox and Rev. Mike Langdon officiating. Burial will follow immediately after the service. Visitation will be Wednesday, 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the funeral home.
Mr. Arnold was born in Cotton Valley, Louisiana on May 20, 1930. He was the son of Sebastin E. Arnold and Lee Ola Kirkland Arnold. He served in the U. S. Marine Corps in the Korean War. He married Imogene Blessing on April 15, 1954 in Carlisle, Texas. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Stephen F. Austin University in 1955.
He and Imogene moved to Greenville where he taught Distributive Education at Greenville High School for two years. He was a Real Estate Broker and Appraiser and Insurance Agent for many years. He was a member of Salem-Kinser United Methodist Church until he became a Methodist minister at the age of 65. He was pastor of Campbell and Caney United Methodist Churches for 18 years until his retirement in 2013. He was also a chaplain at the Greenville hospital for several years.
Survivors include his wife, Imogene of Greenville; sons, Paul Arnold and wife, Flossie of Greenville; Philip Arnold and Portia Pendleton of Austin and David Arnold and wife, Dena of Greenville; daughter, Susan Arnold of Greenville; grandchildren, Lucas Arnold of Seattle, Samuel Arnold and wife, Tamara of Seattle, Rachel Arnold of Greenville, Addie Arnold of Austin, Bethany Arnold of Greenville and Avery Arnold of Austin; great-granddaughter, Hallie Elizabeth Marks of Greenville; and a host of loving relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and several brothers and sisters.
Pallbearers will be his grandchildren, Lucas, Samuel, Rachel, Addie, Bethany and Avery.
The family would like to express special appreciation to Kindred Hospice for their excellent care.