Melvina Bee Arnett

Melvina Bee (Johnson) Arnett, 83, of Houstonia passed peacefully on Friday, July 13, 2018 at Cross Creek at Lee's Summit in Lee's Summit, MO, with her daughters and son at her side. She was born on May 3, 1935 in Clarinda, IA, a daughter of George Robert and Velma Lois (Delk) Cutburth, who preceded her in death.

On December 18, 1954 in Amsterdam, MO, she was united in marriage to Delbert Johnson, who preceded her in death on August 16, 1963. On August 10, 1968 in Houstonia, MO, she was united in marriage to Donald E. Arnett, who preceded her in death on October 8, 2007.

Melvina was a 1952 graduate of LaCygne Rural High School in LaCygne, KS. She moved to Kansas City, MO to work in billing at a Sears Roebuck catalog store and then as a check-proofing operator at Federal Reserve and Commerce Bank in Kansas City as well as First National Bank in Eugene, OR. Melvina was the co-owner/operator of Arnett Grocery in Houstonia from 1969-1972. She moved to a farm near Houstonia in 1972 and selflessly performed all the duties of a farm wife.

Melvina was a member of First Baptist Church, Houstonia, MO and a former member of the Houstonia Civic and Houstonia Community Betterment Clubs. She was also a former member of the Osage Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution. She enjoyed sewing, crafting, her flower beds, genealogy, computing, and most of all getting together with her family for dinners and card games. She will always be remembered as a loving mother and grandmother and leaves us rich in memories.

Survivors include three children, Debra Caton (John) of Grain Valley, MO., Randy Johnson of Nelson, MO, and Peggy Van Oss (Joseph) of Beavercreek, OH; a stepson Ray Arnett of Sedalia, MO; 10 grandchildren, Christopher, Kimberly, Michael, Timothy, Jeffrey, Jessica, Kevin, Shelby, Kelsey, and Skyler; 14 great grandchildren; a sister, Tressie Vearril Mittenburg (David) of Sedalia, MO; a brother, Hadley Cutburth, of Blue Springs, MO; and numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins.

In addition to her husbands and parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Linda Johnson; and a grandson, Earl Cornine; four brothers, Buford, Loy Mac, Farmer and William Cutburth; five sisters, Ellen Cutburth, Vivian Welch, Bessie Raps, Allison Tuggle, and Verda Gann.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 18, 2018 at First Baptist Church, Houstonia, MO with Rev. Kevin Anstine officiating.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at Rea Funeral Chapel, Sedalia.

Burial will be at Houstonia Cemetery, Houstonia, MO.

Pallbearers will be Christopher Caton, Timothy Caton, Jeffrey Caton, Kevin Johnson, Skyler Van Oss, Eric Cornine and Michael Arnett.

The family wishes to thank Kindred Hospice and Cross Creek at Lee's Summit for their care. If you wish, the family suggests memorial donations be made to Mid-America Transplant at 1110 Highlands Plaza Dr. E #100, St. Louis, MO 63110-1350