On September 6,1924, a baby girl was born to John and Mary McDaniel and they named her (Orlean) Arenita Bernice. She attended school in Eufaula, OK. She confessed her faith in Christ at an early age. She married Allen H. Brown Sr. and moved to Muskogee, OK. To the union four children were born. Allen Brown Sr. preceded her in death. In 1955, she was blessed with another daughter followed by a marriage to Robert Gibbs in 1957. To the union four children were born. Robert Gibbs also preceded her in death. Arenita was the happiest when helping others and dedicated her life in doing so. Her utmost joy was her family. She retired after the death of her long time friend and patient Alfretta Titworth in 1992. On April 9, 2011, after an extended battle with her health, she claimed her wings when God called her home. She leaves to mourn her passing; three daughters, Mary Garrett, Haskell, OK (Patrick Garrett), Teresa Middleton, Wagoner, OK, Carolyn Gibbs, Muskogee, OK; five sons, Douglas Brown, Ft. Scott, KS, Ezzard Brown, Oklahoma City, OK, Robert Gibbs, Phoenix, AZ (Robin Gibbs), Franklin Gibbs, Oklahoma City, OK, Johnny Gibbs, Wagoner, OK, (Tina Gibbs); three sisters, Verta Lee Grant, Muskogee, OK, Lee Anna Collins, Muskogee, OK, Mae Helen Collins, Muskogee, OK; one aunt, Ophelia Bridgewater Dixon, Oklahoma City, OK and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-greatchildren, nieces, nephews and friends. The homegoing Celebration for Arenita will be held Saturday Apirl 16 at 2 p.m. at Macedonia Baptist Church with Reverend Larry Smith Pastor, officiating. She will be laid to rest Monday April 18 at 1 p.m. in Ft. Gibson National Cemetery. Visitation hours are today from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. Services are under the direction of Ragsdale Funeral Center.
(Muskogee Phoenix)