Carol A. Arnett

Carol Ann (Romence) Arnett, age 89, went home to heaven on January 15, 2025 in Kalamazoo surrounded by her loved ones. Carol was born December 8, 1935 to Paul and Thelma (Pierce) Romence of Portage. She graduated from Portage Central High School in 1953, where she was awarded the Danforth Good Citizen Award (which she almost lost when, with her parents’ permission, she joined her classmates on “Senior Skip Day,” the only act of rebellion in all of her 89 years!). Carol went on to graduate from Western Michigan University in 1957 with a degree in Elementary Education. While at Western, she was active in the Methodist sorority Kappa Phi. She taught fifth grade at Whitmore Lake, Michigan, for two years before marrying her late husband of 55 years, Homer (Jack) Arnett on August 16, 1959. Carol worked for many years at Don’s Card Hut in Portage, and her family’s business, Romence Garden Center, until her retirement. She and Jack raised three boys. Steven was born in 1960, Daniel came along in 1962, and Scott completed the family in 1967. With three boys to raise, Carol had her hands full, but she did it with love, grace, and patience, to which they all readily attest!

Carol had a deep love of family and happily opened her home at every opportunity for large family gatherings. Every holiday, birthday, or just any opportunity to be together would find every room filled to capacity and a table laden with every member’s specialty. Carol’s were broccoli salad, pistachio fluff, and meatballs! Of special significance were the annual Christmas Eve gatherings where Carol carried on a family tradition of sharing meaningful readings, scripture, and her personal thoughts. Something to remind us all of the real meaning of the celebration. Even as her health was failing, this past Christmas Eve, she shared the words to some of the old familiar hymns of faith, concluding with her personal message for the next generations. Her nephew, Jeff, videoed her sharing. This video is now a family treasure.

The mere mention of Carol’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren would cause Carol’s whole face to light up and words of love to come bubbling forth. Her visits with them were truly the highlights of her final days on earth.

Carol was a woman of unshakable faith and a true prayer warrior. Her prayers’ focus was first on her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, but also her extended family, church family, our country and the world. In fact, in 1985, Carol and her sister, Bonnie, were part of a large group of 300 Christians led by Chinese evangelist Nora Lam who smuggled thousands of small Bibles into the underground church in China, an experience that deepened their faith lives forever. She had a keen interest in world events right up to the end and earnestly prayed for revival as our only hope. But the greatest desire of Carol’s heart was to see all of her loved ones come to know the Jesus she loved so much. She longed to see every one of them serving the Lord and fulfilling their God-given destinies in life.

Carol was a life-long member of Pathfinder Church (formerly Portage United Methodist Church), where she became a member at the age of 7 and never wandered. She served in numerous capacities over the years: teaching Sunday School, leading prayer groups, hospitality committee right up until the present, with her last attendance being Christmas Eve, with the assistance of her daughter-in-law, Annette, and niece, Jenny. Carol had been honored by the Church with awards for being the longest living member. If the doors of the church were open, that’s where she wanted to be. Of the many attributes Carol possessed, the word FAITHFUL stands out: Faithful to God, her husband and family. She was a strong, steady rock to so many, and her legacy of faith will live on for generations to come. She surely has heard these words from Jesus, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:23a

She is survived by her sons, Steven Arnett of Paw Paw, Daniel (Annette) Arnett of Plainwell, and Scott Arnett of Kalamazoo; granddaughters Kristy (Andrew) Moreno, Lindsey (Ryan) Curda, Olivia Arnett, and Mariah (Dave) Dykstra; great-grandchildren, Miles and Maya Moreno, Sophia and Jackson Curda, and Logan Dykstra; her sister, Diane Gowell of AZ and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings, Bonnie Williams and Robert Romence, and her husband, Homer Jack Arnett.

A celebration of Carol’s life will be held at Pathfinder Church, 8740 S. Westnedge, on March 29, 2025 with visitation at 11:00 a.m. and service at 12:00 p.m. with a luncheon following in the Fellowship Hall.