Harriet A. (nee Chapman) Arnold, 70, of Oberlin passed away on Monday, April 14, 2008 in the Cleveland Clinic following a long illness.

     Mrs. Arnold was born in Linden, NJ on July 3, 1937, the daughter of the late Eugene and Helen (Dobbins) Chapman. She graduated from Linden High School in Linden, NJ and received her bachelor's degree in English from Oberlin College in 1971 with the support of a Danforth Fellowship. Her Master's degree in American Studies was awarded by Case Western Reserve University in 1974. She also enrolled in further graduate courses at Bowling Green State University and Kent State University.

      She taught in the Oberlin City Schools for many years and the Oberlin College Upward Bound Program before retiring from Lorain City Schools. Prior to coming to Oberlin, Mrs. Arnold worked for the US Post Office and a major African-American owned insurance company.

     She was a member of Christ Episcopal Church in Oberlin. She also played the organ and piano for many years in Rust Methodist Church, Mt. Zion Baptist Church both in Oberlin and St. Matthews AME Church in Lorain.

     A community activist, Mrs. Arnold was a co-founder of the Oberlin Early Childhood Center (with the support of the Nord Foundation) and served on the Oberlin City Council from 1980 to 1989. She served as Council Chairperson
and Mayor from 1984-5.

     A delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1984, Mrs. Arnold's memberships and affiliations included the AKA Sorority, NAACP, Urban League, Leadership Lorain, Lorain Education Association, Ohio Teacher's Association and NEA. Mrs. Arnold was a Charter Member of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs and was an early recipient of their Sojourner Truth Award. She had a strong interest in Oberlin's Asian Studies program and traveled to Japan in 1985.

     Mrs. Arnold is loved and remembered by her three daughters Mercia E. Arnold of Washington, DC., Regina I.A. Mullen of Redmond, WA, Christina A. Arnold of Raleigh, NC., grandson William Brice, granddaughters Cottia A. and Christina Aaliyah A. Arnold, a God-daughter Caroline (Jones) Hubbell, sisters Dorothy Petersen, Helen Franklin both of Linden, NJ., brothers Tommy Chapman, James Chapman both of Linden, NJ., Louis Chapman of Richmond, VA., many nieces and nephews, dear friends and loved ones.      

       In addition to her parents she is preceded in death by a sister Florene Ford, brothers Leon Chapman and Stanley Chapman.

      A Memorial Service in celebration of Mrs. Arnold's life will be held Wednesday, April 23, 2008 at 1:00 PM in the Christ Episcopal Church, 161 S. Main Street, Oberlin, Ohio  44074, with Father Brian K. Wilbert, rector, welcoming Mrs. Arnold home. Interment will be in the church columbarium.

      The family are thankful for any contributions made on Mrs. Arnold's honor to the Christ Episcopal Church, Community Fund, 161 S. Main Street, Oberlin, Ohio  44074.

       Schwartz, Spence, Boyer & Cool Home For Funerals, 1124 W. 5th Street, Lorain is handling the arrangements.

       Online condolences are welcome at Boyer & Cool http://www.boyer-cool.com and Harriet's Place http://www.harrietsplace.org

CONDOLENCES

From:     Bridget Byam Novak
Relation: friend

I have vivid memories of the times I had with Harriet.  Although they were few in number, she was the type of woman who, with her presence alone, was quite memorable.  Smart, tall, beautiful, articulate, funny... all these words come to mind.  Christina, I know you will miss her very much.  You and your sisters have memories to keep.  Be in touch and say hello... bnovak@loraincountymrdd.org  Gigi
 

From:     Mercia
Relation: Daughter

Walt Whitman (1819–1892).  Leaves of Grass.  1900.
193. O Captain! My Captain!

O CAPTAIN! my Captain! our fearful trip is done;  
The ship has weather’d every rack, the prize we sought is won;  
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,  
While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring:  
    But O heart! heart! heart!          5
      O the bleeding drops of red,  
        Where on the deck my Captain lies,  
          Fallen cold and dead.  
  
O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells;  
Rise up—for you the flag is flung—for you the bugle trills;   10
For you bouquets and ribbon’d wreaths—for you the shores a-crowding;  
For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning;  
    Here Captain! dear mother!  
      This arm beneath your head;  
        It is some dream that on the deck,   15
          You’ve fallen cold and dead.   

My Captain does not answer, her lips are pale and still;  
My mother does not feel my arm, she has no pulse nor will;  
The ship is anchor’d safe and sound, its voyage closed and done;  
From fearful trip, the victor ship, comes in with object won; 
    Exult, O shores, and ring, O bells!  
      But I, with mournful tread,  
        Walk the deck my Captain lies,  
          Fallen cold and dead.


 

From:        Alice Bonnallie-Cuson
Relation:    Friend

To Harriet's family,

I had the pleasure of knowing Harriet when I was working at Welcome Nursing Home. We had great conversations and wonderful times together at the Cleveland Clinic. (We would make it a special outing with lunch and shopping) I had gone to see Harriet just two weeks ago and am deeply sadden with her passing. I will miss her. 

 

From:        Mercia Elayne Arnold
Relation:    Daughter

Tile : Etheridge Melissa - This War is Over
Lyrics courtesy of www.lyrics007.com:

Take off my shield
Carry my sword
I won't need it anymore
Find me a sky
Give me my wings
Frozen and broken but free
(chorus:)
Tell them I'm all right, I'm coming home
Tell then I'm all right, I am alone
This war is over, I'm coming home
Take off my shame
Bury it low
I won't need it anymore
Find me the sun
Give me it whole
Melt all the chains in my soul
(chorus)
Take off my pain
Carry me slow
I won't fight here anymore
(chorus)

 

From:        BARBARA SEYMORE TURNER
Relation:    FRIEND

Ms. Arnold will be missed. A bright, beautiful Black woman. She always wanted the best for everyone she came in contact with. My thoughts and prayers are with the Arnold family.

Barbara Seymore Turner

From:        Sarah
Relation:    Other

Dear Arnold family,
I am so sorry for your loss I cant even begin to know what you are going through at this time. One of the things that I have found to be a great source of comfort when I lose a loved one is the thoughts expressed in the Bible at John 5:28,29 were we see that God is going to bring our loved ones back to life. at Revelation 21:4 we see that God is going to eliminate all of the causes for why we get sick grow old and die. also at Psalm 37:10,11,29 We see that God is going to destroy all wicked evil people and only those who are good in his eyes are going to have the chance of living forever here on a paradise earth with other happy healthy people. It is my sincere hope that these thoughts bring your family comfort at this time once again I am so sorry four your loss.