Arline Echols

Arline Echols, 80, passed away peacefully in her home on Monday, July 18, 2016. Born in New Braunfels, TX on June 22, 1936 to Benno Louis Dierks and Emma Maria (Braune) Dierks, Arline attended and graduated from New Braunfels High School and married Mack L. Echols Jr. in 1954. Arline was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She and her husband of 55 years, who predeceased her in 2010, raised two daughters while Mack served in the Air Force until he retired in Mesa, AZ in 1971. She lived such places as Texas, Mississippi, Okinawa, Nevada and Arizona. Arline worked Civil Service for many years, retiring in 1993. She and Mack traveled extensively in their retirement and enjoyed their motorhome, camping, and road trips to sight see and visit out-of-state relatives. Arline really enjoyed having her family close and spending time with them. Her daughter, Donna, held regular weekly family dinners where Arline could spend time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her daughter, Mary, lived with her the last three years of her life. Arline enjoyed playing Bingo, Bunko, as well as card and board games with the family and grandkids. She was a member of NARFE and enjoyed spending time with her friends who lived nearby. She was an animal lover, feeding not only the two cats she owned, but many outdoor strays who “adopted” her. She is survived by daughters Donna (Larry) Hammack of Chandler, AZ, Mary Sparkman of Mesa, AZ, 2 grandchildren, Shawn Hammack and Jennifer (Justin) Aldridge, 4 great-grandchildren, Pierce, Drake and Miles Hammack and Ruby Aldridge, sister-in-law Betty Tison of Callahan, FL and nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at Valley of the Sun Memorial Park Chapel, Chandler AZ on Monday, July 25, 2016. Visitation is at 9:30 AM, and the Funeral at 10:30 AM. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Heart Association or www.savethecatsaz.org