Funeral services for Rev. Jim Arnall age 86 of the Big Springs community in Ashland will be held on Monday, July 12, 2021, at 11:00 am at Bethel Christian Church, 76856 Hwy 9, Ashland, AL with Rev. Bill Waggoner, Rev. Mike Brening, Rev. Wade Price, Rev. Ivor Smith and Rev. Kenneth Fuller officiating. Songs will be led by Rev. Ted Barker. Bro. Arnall will be laid to rest by his wife at the Bethel Church cemetery.
Bro. Arnall passed away on July 8, 2021 at his home. He was born in Granby, Missouri on March 18, 1935. He served in the Army Reserve National Guard at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO; El Paso, TX; and Neosho, MO. He married the love of his life, Mary Lou Bradford in 1955. They graduated from the Apostolic Faith Bible College in 1964. Bro. Arnall pastored at the Pine Hill Chapel in Pine Hill, AL for 8 years from 1965-1973. He helped establish Catherine Academy, and there he taught Bible, music, and shop before becoming Headmaster of the school. He moved to Ashland, AL in 1973 and pastored Bethel Christian Church for 40 years before retiring in 2013. He returned to pastoring the church in 2018 until 2021. He also preached at the Oak Hill Church in Millerville once a month on Sunday afternoons from 1973-2005. He and his wife were directors at Bethel Christian School for 21 years. He served on the board of directors for the Apostolic Faith Bible College in Baxter Springs, KS for 12 years. One of his greatest ministries was his love for Pine Crest Youth Camp in Quitman, MS and worked in the camp from 1965-2021. After the camp burned from an accidental fire, he labored many hours to rebuild the camp, traveling to Quitman from Ashland every week for 2 years. After retiring from Bethel Church in 2013, he ministered at the Ashland Nursing Home, Senior Citizen Center, and even had Bible study at McDonalds with a group of senior citizens. He also served as Chaplain to the Lineville Police Dept. and conducted devotions and prayer with the officers.
Bro. Arnall’s ministry went far beyond the churches he pastored. He will always be remembered as a community pastor and for the time and endless miles traveled to hospitals all over to pray for and minister to those who were sick or grieving the loss of a loved one.
Bro. Arnall is survived by his children Kayla Anderson (Thomas) of Ashland, Steve Arnall (Cathy) of Follett, TX, and Shauna Denney (Duane), of Ashland, his grandchildren TaLona McDonald (Darrel), Stephanie Cook (Coby), Lindsey Danner (Ben), Tiffanie Mullins (Ken), TaLisa Anderson, Jessica Maddox (Derek), Lesli Turner, Ashley Woods (Tanner), Taylor Denney (Alison), Trey Denney (Kendall), 27 great grandchildren, a sister, Josephine Barrett and brother, Wilbur Arnall.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Mary Lou Bradford Arnall, his parents, Felix Logan and Leona Arnall, his Sisters, Bonnie Keith and Ena Cook, his brothers, George Arnall, Clyde Arnall, Ernie Arnall, Pete Arnall, Bill Arnall, Floyd Arnall, Johnnie Arnall and Bobby Arnall.
Pallbearers are Phillip Martin, Randy Cummings, Randy Anderson, Charles Patterson, Steve Burkhalter, Steve Smith, and Randall Payne. Honorary pallbearers are Kimbal Taylor, Kris Taylor, Robert Taylor, Billy Taylor.
Visitation will be at Bethel Christian Church in Ashland on Sunday, July 11, from 3 pm to 8 pm. He will lie in state at the church prior to his service on Monday, July 12 at 11 am. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the window fund at Bethel Christian Church, 1131 Big Springs Rd, Ashland, AL 36251
Send online Condolences to benefieldfuneralhome.com
Benefield Funeral Home in Ashland is in charge of arrangements.
