Donald Ray Arnold

Rev. Donald Ray Arnold, age 73 of Dayton went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga. Donald Ray was born in Rhea County on October 9, 1935 the son of the late Floyd and Myra (McCullough) Arnold. He was also preceded in death by his two brothers, Robert Arnold and Allen Arnold and his three sisters, Frankie Dowden, Thelma Shelton and Nancy Brady.

Donald Ray was a life long resident of Rhea County and was a graduate of Rhea Central High School. He served his country with the US Navy and was a former pastor of Reed’s Chapel on Grandview Mountain. He was the founder of the North Dayton Church of God where he formerly served as pastor. Donald Ray was currently a Sunday school teacher and also had a ministry to the residents of the Rhea County Nursing Home.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley (Swafford) Arnold of Dayton, two sons, Scott Arnold of Dayton and Dale (Kelly) Kennedy of Ten Mile, two daughters, Sheila (Brian) Scott of Dayton and Missy (Stacy) Smith of Graysville Mountain. He is also survived by his brother, Walter (Patsy) Arnold of Kingston, two sisters, Helen Lindsay of Dayton and Kathy Childs of Crossville, ten grandchildren and one great-granddaughter, numerous nieces and nephews and special friend Ray Ballard of Dayton, TN.

Funeral services for Rev. Arnold will be held Friday morning at 11:00am at his church, the North Dayton Church of God, with Rev. Jewell Travis, Rev. Don Fox and Rev. Jerry Feathers officiating. He will be laid to rest in Rhea Memory Gardens with military honors followed by a white dove release.

Please share your memories of Donald Ray on his on-line guest register at www.vanderwallfh.com .

The family is being served by the Vanderwall Funeral Home where they will receive friends Thursday from 4:00pm until 8:00pm. Rev. Arnold will also lie in state at the church one hour before his funeral service.