CCH-N 7 Jan 2004

[Note: Daughter of Louis & Anna (Pletcher) Rogers; married 2 Jul 1943 Earl Leland Arms 11 Jan 1922 - 9 Sep 2007]

Bessie Agnes Arms, 89, died of cancer Sunday, Dec. 28, 2003, at her home. She was born on March 28, 1914, in Ochiltree County, Texas, the daughter of Louis and Anna Rogers. She attended school in Texas until her family moved to the community of Sparta in 1924.

She graduated from Russell Elementary school and left home to work at an early age. She worked in Springfield in private homes until going to Wichita, Kan. to work. She returned to Springfield in 1939 to attend college at Southwest Missouri State University. She married Earl Leland Arms on July 3, 1943 in Louisville, Ky. She joined the U.S. Army WACs as a medical technician during World War II. After the war ended, she and her husband attended the Missouri University where they graduated in 1949. While attending the university, two daughters, Earline and Adella, were born to them. After graduation, Earl Arms took a job with the Missouri Highway Department as a civil engineer and they moved to Springfield. Two sons were born to the family in Springfield, Louis in 1950, and Leland in 1956. Arms taught school in several communities including Strafford and Springfield. Arms attended First Church of the Nazarene where she devoted many hours of caring service. She was actively involved in the 4H youth program, Sunday School, Mission groups and personal outreach until her health prevented active participation. She was a member of the Daughters of American Revolution.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Adella Boller, in 1990; one sister, Glades King; and brothers, Bennie Rogers and George Rogers.

Survivors include her husband of 60 years; their children and spouses, Earline and Michael Dikeman, Manhattan, Kan., Louis and Carol Arms, Muncie, Ind., and Leland and Beverly Arms, Harvard, Ill.; grandchildren and spouses, Mark and Cheryl Dikeman, Rebecca and Josh Hendricks, Hannah Boller, Rachel Boller, Jennifer and Darin Zebel, Stephanie and B.J. Murray, and Megan Arms; five sisters, Blanche Goins, Bruner, Arlene Goins, Brownsville, Texas, Pauline Ryals, Morton, Ill., Vivian Johns, Springfield, and Susie Johns, Sparta; and three brothers, John Rogers, Liberty, Pletcher Rogers, Sparta, and Charles Rogers, Sparta.

Funeral services were held at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 2, 2004, at the Springfield First Church of the Nazarene. Visitation was held from 6 to 7 p.m. Jan. 1, 2004 at the Walnut Lawn Funeral Home. Memorial donations may be made the the First Church of the Nazarene building fund.