Mary Arrowood, 86, Johnson City, passed away Tuesday, April 15, 2014 at her home, surrounded by loving family. A native of Washington County, she was the daughter of the late Alfred and Anna Saylor. Mary lived a life of servanthood, as an active member of Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church where she prepared the weekly communion elements; washed and ironed the linens for special church events; made the paraments for the sanctuary; cared for the children in the nursery and served as a Girl Scout leader. She was a longtime member of the Fellowship Sunday School Class. She was passionate about her hobby of making porcelain dolls from casting the porcelain and painting the faces, to making the authentic and intricate clothing in which she dressed them. Mary was a loving and caring mother, grandmother and great grandmother who always put her family first. In addition to her parents, Mary is preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Verdun Arrowood; a daughter, Jenny Maden; a son in-law Larry Tester; two sisters and three brothers.
Those left to cherish her memory include her son, Danny (Jackie) White of Chattanooga, TN; a daughter, Joyce (Jo) Tester Donahue and husband Mike of Cary, NC; brothers, William (Bill) Saylor and wife Betty of Richmond, OH, and David L. Booth and wife Ruth of Gate City, VA; seven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Barbara DuBois for her loving care of Gran.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
The family requests the honor of your presence at a Celebration of Life service for Mary at 1:00 PM on Friday, April 18, 2014 at Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church, Johnson City with Reverend Michael Lester and Reverend Douglas Grove-DeJarnett officiating. The family will greet friends to share memories from 12:00 PM until the service hour at the church. A Graveside Service will follow at Monte Vista Memorial Park, Johnson City. Pallbearers will be grandsons, Joseph White, Richard Tester, Scott Tester and Josh Maden, son in-law, Michael Donahue, and Michael Lester and Doug Grove-DeJarnett.