Mildred Jean Clark Arnold, 94, died in Wilmore, KY, Saturday, May 11, 2024, after a brief illness.

Jean was born July 9, 1929, in Garrard County, KY, to William “Bill” Kinnaird Clark and Mary Best (Anderson) Clark. To her dying day, she always referred to them as “Mother and Daddy,” confident of their unconditional love for her. She always spoke warmly of the wonderful childhood they provided her on the farm surrounded by her many cousins in the large families of James Henry Clark and William Parker Anderson, Jr.

During World War II, the school children were encouraged to write letters to the “boys overseas.” She had known Walter Lee “Pete” Arnold before the war, and started writing letters to him, when she was only 13 years old. He was 20. He came home from Europe in November 1945, and discovered little Jean Clark had grown up. After a brief but whirlwind courtship, they were married in Wilmore, KY, on September 4, 1946. He became a Methodist minister, and they served churches together for thirty-five years. She always played an important role in their work and they saw their ministry as a joint effort, serving Methodist churches across the state. Pete and Jean have many warm friendships and cherished memories from these years of ministry. Early in their ministry together, Jean starting teaching Bible studies in Sunday School and other settings, and was widely sought after as a teacher.

Jean was predeceased by her loving husband of nearly 70 years, Pete (died in 2015), and their son, Richard Lee Arnold (died in 2020). She is survived by her son, Billy Tribble (and Susan) Arnold of Lexington, KY, and five grandsons, Mark Allen (Yvonne) Arnold, Adam Lee (Tessa) Arnold, David Wesley (Stephanie) Arnold, Jeremy Clark (Michelle) Arnold, and Alexander Joseph (fiancé Rosemary) Arnold; and seven great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be Tuesday, May 14, 5:00-7:00pm at Spurlin Funeral Home, 1782 Lexington Rd, Lancaster, KY 40444.

Funeral service Wednesday, May 15, 11:00am at Lancaster Methodist Church, 200 Stanford St, Lancaster, KY 40444.

Officiants: Bishop Alfred W. Gwinn and Rev. Joshua Wiggs

Pallbearers: Mark Arnold, David Arnold, Jeremy Arnold, Alexander Arnold, Daniel Arnold, and Evan Zdrojowy.

The family would like to express appreciation to the wonderful staff at Wesley Village of Wilmore, KY, for the last ten years. Jean thoroughly enjoyed this rich season of her life, with many friends and inspirational experiences.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Lancaster Methodist Church.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you." (1 Peter 1:3-4)