Lavelia Lay Arthur's Obituary
Lavelia Lay Arthur passed away February 11, 2021. She was born in Dallas, Texas on February 5, 1935. Lavelia was the daughter of Charles Hillburn and Allie Mae Carmichael Melton. She was raised by her grandparents Lillie Bell Davis Lay and Phillip Lee Lay in Mesquite, Texas.
Lavelia met her husband and love of her life, “Frank” James Franklin Arthur and got married after a whirlwind courtship on May 20, 1951 in De Queen, Arkansas. She was only 16 years old. They had their first child, a daughter, in 1952 and then a son in 1953 who only lived a few days. Frank enlisted in the US Army and they had 5 more children. The Army took the family to many destinations across the United States and Germany. In fact, 3 of the children were born in Germany.
After Frank retired from the Army, the family moved back to the Dallas area where she would stay. She loved the Dallas area and was happy to settle in the area.
Over the years, Lavelia worked at many different jobs to keep up with her growing family. She worked until she was in her 70s
She was a people person and she loved talking to and meeting new people. She was the kind of person who never met a stranger and liked to find out a person’s life. She also loved babies and had a knack for taking a crying baby and calming them when no one else could.
She loved her kids, grandkids, family and friends. She liked to stay in touch and liked to talk on the phone. She also loved her little dog, Ginger, who became her other child during the end of her life. She liked to call Ginger her daughter.
She lived a great life. She was loved and is missed terribly by everyone who knew her.
Lavelia is preceded in death by her husband James Franklin Arthur, her sons James Franklin Arthur, Jr, David Frank Arthur and Jimmy Alan Arthur, and her son-in-law, Norris Hill Jr.
Lavelia is survived by daughters Janet Ann Hill, Barbara Joan Blocker (Butch), Pamela Jill McManus (Jay), sons Jay Paul Arthur, Christopher Lee Arthur (Shelby), grandchildren Kerry Suttles (Jeff), Kristy Bartram (Jeb), Kevin Hill (Jennifer), Katelyn Hill, Brian Blocker (Tammy), Benjamin Blocker, Breann Dean (Shea), Ashley McKissick (Michael), Jennifer Earle, Haleigh McManus, Matthew Arthur, Jay Paul Arthur, Jr, Jackson Arthur, Alisdair Arthur, thirteen great-grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren. Plus many nieces and nephews
Lavelia was a member of Cornerstone Assembly Church.
A graveside service will be held at Roselawn Cemetery in Seagoville, Texas on March 12, 2021 at 12:00 PM with Cary Edwards as officiant.
Any memorial donations can be sent to any charity of your choice in her nam
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