Rowena Ruffner Arnold Summerville

Rowena Ruffner Arnold Summerville, 97, of Blytheville, passed from this life on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro, Ark. Born in Hoxie, Ark. to Roy and Maude Ruffner Arnold, she was a member of the Retired Teacher's Association and First United Methodist Church of Blytheville, Ark. Rowena was also a member of the Blytheville Women's Club and Pathfinder Sunday School Class at First United Methodist Church of Blytheville. Mrs. Summerville taught elementary school for over 30 years at schools in Alicia, Fisher, Imboden, Hope, Little Rock and Blytheville, Ark. During WWII, Mrs. Summerville served as the first secretary and head of civilian payroll for the chief lumber expeditor, as well as the commanding officer at the pilot training school in Walnut Ridge, Ark. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William Royston "Bill" Summerville and sister, Eloise Arnold Owens. She is survived by her son, William Douglas "Doug" Summerville and wife Martha Davis Summerville of Kingwood, Texas; sister, Marguerite Arnold Collier of Huntington Beach, Calif; grandchildren, Lauren Elizabeth Summerville and Lindsey Rogers Summerville and his wife, Tracy Kegel Summerville; great-granddaughter, Anna Elizabeth Summerville, all of Houston, Texas; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church. Burial will be at Strangers Home Cemetery in Alicia, Ark. at 4 p.m. The family will receive friends, Friday, January 27, 2012, from 6-8 p.m. at Cobb Funeral Home. Online register may be signed at cobbfuneralhome.com.