November 2 1931 November 21 2022
Willa Dean Arnold, 91 of Sullivan, MO passed away Monday, November 21, 2022 at Fulton Nursing and Rehab, Fulton, MO. Willa Dean, known as Dean was born in November 2, 1931 in Sullivan, MO to Amil Franklin and Mabel Dee (Tyree) Hartman. Dean graduated from Fulton High School class of 1949. During her high school years, Dean worked at Baumster Bakery and at Backers where she bagged potato chips. She was also employed in the office at William Woods College and as a bookkeeper for Callaway Bank. Dean was married to Lloyd McCowan on February 17, 1951 and three children were born to their union, Roger, Ronan and Rula Dean. They family made their home in California where Lloyd was serving in the Marines. They returned to Missouri in 1952. They would later divorce. Dean would later marry Bob Arnold and together owned and operated a furniture and carpet store in Warrensburg. They also built apartment complexes. Bob preceded Dean in death and she would make her final home in Sullivan in 1989 where she lovingly cared for her mother. Dean was always a busy and industrious person. Upon returning to her home-town she went to work for Sears from 1989 to 1993, for Mr. Keeney collecting rent for 32 years and working for Meramec Dental from 1999 to 2022. Dean loved the St. Louis Cardinals. She taught Sunday school at First Assembly of God for 14 years where she attended and was a member. She took many of her Sunday School students to Cardinal games, which they thoroughly enjoyed. She also enjoyed Indy and Nascar racing and would attend over 50 races with her friends from church. On June 25, 1994, when Dean was 62 years old, jumped from a perfectly good airplane, while her family and friends cheered her on and her Sunday School student, Lindsey Williams sang the National Anthem. In 2005 at age 73, Dean received an award for being the oldest worker and was honored in the paper. Of course, she continued her employment, retiring at age 90 in October 2022. Dean was quite a gal and will be fondly remembered by her family, church family, work family and many friends. Dean is survived by two children, Roger McCowan of Mokane, MO, Ronan Harmon and husband Bill of Old Hickory, Tennessee; five grandchildren, Ryan Harmon of Mt. Juliet, TN, Eric Harmon and wife Brooke of Mt. Juliet, TN, Dawn Atchley and husband Les of Choctaw, OK, Deana Berry and husband Justin of Mt. Juliet, TN and Jennifer McCowan and husband Justin McDonald of Mokane, MO; 13 great-grandchildren, Jordin and Jayde McDonald, Nathanial Callis, Mikala Atchley and Keeli James, Mia, Molly, Rex and Rocco Harmon, Lexi, Maddox, Kenzie and Khloe Berry; two great-great-grandchild, Lucas Psanis and Hallie James; a half- brother, Paul Hartman and wife Anne of Marino Valley, CA; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Dean was preceded in death by her daughter, Rula Dean McCowan; her husband, Bob Arnold; and her parents, Amil and Mabel Hartman. A Memorial service and celebration of Dean’s Life will be held from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Saturday, December 3, 2022 at First Assembly of God in Sullivan with Pastor Kyle Phillips officiating. Friends may send online condolences to Dean’s family at www.eatonfuneralhome.com All arrangements were under the care of the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan, MO. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Willa, please visit our floral store.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Willa Dean Arnold November 2 1931 November 21 2022.
Death notice for the town of: Sullivan, state: Missouri