Opal Rae VanArsdale, age 89, gently passed away on Mon, Jan 13, 2020 at the Waters of Robertson care facility in Springfield, TN.
Mrs. VanArsdale was born Nov 30, 1930 in Traverse City. She was the fifth of seven children of Clarence Edward Bracebridge and Lulu Rose (Cook) Bracebridge.
She was the devoted wife of James Lowry VanArsdale and together they made their home in Flint where they raised five brilliant children.
Mrs. VanArsdale was a graduate of Cedar Lake Academy and worked as a medical office manger for many years prior to retirement.
She honored her God through worship in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. She especially loved to add her voice to His glory through song and performed for many years with the traditional gospel group the Heraldettes.
In her latter years, she enjoyed volunteering her time to help students at the Maranatha Adventist School and patients at the Veterans Hospital in Columbia, MO.
In addition to her husband and her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, four sisters, and a daughter in law.
Mrs. VanArsdale is survived by her children and their spouses, Robert and Sharon VanArsdale of Shady Grove, OR, David and Julie VanArsdale of York, PA, Donald and Lovel VanArsdale, of Hendersonville, TN, Danny VanArsdale and Corinne Ranzinger of Cedar Hill, TN, Patricia and Brook Powers of Agat, Guam; and by 13 wonderful grandchildren and 12 beautiful great grandchildren.
Those we hold closest to our hearts never truly leave us, instead they live on through the love and laughter that they brought into our lives and also in the kindness they have shown us, which we in turn share with others. Thank you mom and grandma, we love you and miss you.
Interment with a graveside service in remembrance and celebration of her life will be held for family and friends at Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Traverse City.
Life Story Funeral Home.
