Funeral services for Imogene Arnold, 93, of Arch, will be at 10:00 A.M., Sat., Mar. 17, 2018 at the Third and Kilgore Church of Christ with Don Thomas officiating. Burial will follow in the Portales Cemetery with Cliff Neece, Matt Neece, Billy Neece, Jim Wilhoit, Jerry Partin and Mark Gormley serving as pallbearers.
Imogene (Riley) Arnold, known by friends and family as “Tootsie”, age 93, passed from this earthly life on March 13, 2018 and has been reunited with her beloved husband Tildon L. Arnold. Tootsie was born January 3, 1925 on the family farm south of Arch, NM. Tootsie was the sixth of ten children born to Jerry Scott and Ima Orene (Walker) Riley and the first of their children to be born in New Mexico. The oldest of the ten siblings, Myra Nell, was charged with the responsibility of being a second Mom to her siblings. As Nell rocked her little sister she sang a song that, in part, said ‘rock-a-bye ol’ toodles’. Over a period of time Toodles became Tootsie and the nickname stuck; 93 years later and Imogene is still, and always will be, “Tootsie!”
Tootsie attended school at Arch and Portales and it was at Arch where she met Tildon Loren Arnold. They were married in Portales on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1942. They made their home on a ranch near Bigbee, Arizona until Tildon was drafted by the US Army in November, 1942 and served in the South Pacific until 1945. Tootsie joined her sister Eva Partin in Seattle, WA where they both worked for Boeing Aircraft as riveters building airplanes to support America’s war effort. After World War II, they lived and worked on Arizona and Texas cattle ranches before returning to New Mexico. They lived briefly in Clovis and Portales before making Arch their permanent home in 1948. Together they operated a garage and welding shop and later a seed store. Tootsie also served as a bookkeeper for the Arch gin for 22 years. In 1972, they started farming and ranching until Tildon passed away in 2006.
Tootsie was absolutely devoted to Tildon and all other members of their extended families. Their home became a gathering point for everyone; whether it be a family reunion, an overnight or weekend stay, or just a spur of the moment visit. Many of their nieces and nephews enjoyed extended summer time stays with Tootsie and she was the first driving instructor for many of them because it was Tootsie that gave them the opportunity to drive a car for the first time.
Tootsie was a faithful Christian and a member of the Third & Kilgore Church of Christ. She was a shining example to everyone who knew her; especially her family. Her passing has left a huge void in the lives of her family.
Tootsie was preceded in death by her parents Scott & Ima Riley, husband Tildon, four sisters: Myra Nell Stokes & husband Robert, Eva Mae Partin, Neva Faye Wilhoit & husband E.B., Joy Lee Williams & husband Charlie and three brothers: Jerry Scott Riley Jr., Patrick Fred Riley & wife Jean, and George Tolliver Riley & wife Ruby Nell and brother-in-law Clifford Corbin.
Tootsie is survived by one sister, Merle Corbin of Arch, one brother, James A. Riley and wife Joy of Littleton, CO and brothers-in-law A.W. Partin, Robert Arnold and George Arnold. Tootsie and Tildon did not have children so they unofficially adopted all of their nieces and nephews! The list includes 40 nieces & nephews, 97 great nieces & nephews, 107 great, great nieces & nephews and 15 great, great, great nieces & nephews.
