Mary Frances Arnold

Mary Frances Arnold transitioned peacefully on February 19, 2024. Her final days were spent surrounded by her loving family.

Mary was born in Birmingham, Alabama on April 14, 1938, towards the end of the Great Depression. She was the fourth of six children born to the union of Gladys Hollis Render and Jimmy Render Sr. Mary and her siblings (listed in order of birth), Willie Pearl Render Watts, Jimmy Render Jr., Jesse Render, Lonnie Render Green, and Jeannette Render, formed a bond that lasted throughout their lifetimes.

After suffering the loss of her loving mother, Mary migrated to California during the second phase of the Great Migration. She was one of three million Black southerners who left the segregated South during the second phase of the Great Migration. Mary’s migration from Birmingham to sunny southern California was sponsored by her maternal uncle Thomas McCain who hosted Mary in his home and sent her to Beauty school. Mary relied heavily on her Baptist upbringing when she came to Los Angeles. Her courage to migrate to California as a single woman in hopes of better opportunities was symbolic of her faith that better days were ahead. Many family members followed Mary to California, and it was Mary who hosted them in her home until they were able to make their way.

In 1961 Mary met the love of her life, Howell Arnold. Howell migrated to the United States from Central America, British Honduras (now known as Belize). Howell and Mary married on September 11, 1962, and they settled down in a home in beautiful Leimert Park. Mary and Howell each brought children to their union: Suyan Arnold Hope (Howell’s daughter), Antonio Render (Mary’s son), along with children born of their union, twins Keith & Kenny and Howell Jr, made their family complete.

Mary retired from the United States Postal Service after twenty-three years of service. After Howell Sr. retired, Mary and Howell moved to Las Vegas with grandson Alex Arnold. For the second half of her life Mary enjoyed caring for her adored great granddaughter Jaxsyn Arnold. Mary also enjoyed the Vegas buffets and the slot machines. She and Howell had a beautiful life with love and support from family and friends in Alabama, California, Belize, Georgia, and Nevada. Mary enjoyed a loving relationship with her last surviving sibling, Lonnie Render Green; they spoke four to five times daily and their love for each other transcends death.

Mary is preceded in death by her son, Antonio Render, her loving parents Gladys and Jimmy Render Sr., sisters: Willie Pearl Render Watts and Jeannette Render, brothers: Jesse Render and Jimmy Render Jr.

Mary is survived by her loving husband Howell Arnold Sr., sons: Keith, Kenney, and Howell Arnold Jr., stepdaughter Suyan Arnold Hope: grandchildren, Toni Render, Kenny Arnold Jr., Alexandria Arnold, Nicolas Arnold, Alex Arnold, Howie Arnold, Ashely Arnold, Alexis Arnold, Anthony Arnold; great grandchildren, Kenny Arnold III, Kennedy Arnold, Jaxsyn Arnold, brother, Mark Abercrombie and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends who celebrate her life.

A funeral service for Mary will be held Tuesday, March 5, 2024 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Palm Eastern Mortuary, 7600 S Eastern Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89123. Following the funeral service will be a committal service from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Palm Eastern Cemetery, 7600 S Eastern Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89123.