Cathy Lou (Jett) Arnall

Cathy Lou Arnall was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She passed away peacefully at the farm that had been her childhood home near Slapout, Oklahoma, surrounded by her loving family on November 10, 2024 at 66 years old, after what can only be described as an epic battle with cancer.

Cathy was born to Winton and Billie Jett on June 13, 1958. Her older brothers, Stanley and W.D. were her heroes, and the three spent their days making many happy memories on the farm. Cathy attended Victory School house for preschool, Laverne Elementary School until first grade, and ended up at Follett where she excelled in many sports and activities, graduated Valedictorian of her class, and was honored in too many ways to mention by her classmates, friends, and faculty of FHS. She was an athlete, a gifted musician and singer, and she had an infectious laugh that accompanied her beautiful smile.

After graduation Cathy attended West Texas State University before following God’s call to go to Bible College. In 1979 while on choir tour with the Apostolic Faith Bible College in Baxter Springs, Kansas, Steve Arnall tricked her into giving him a kiss, and the two became practically inseparable for the next 45 years. They were married on a windy March day a year later at Midway Country Church and they spent their first years of marriage in Ashland, Alabama near Steve’s family. In 1981 they welcomed Stephanie Lou to their family and a year later moved back to the panhandle of Oklahoma, where Lindsey Leigh was born in 1983. The young family relocated across the state line to Follett, Texas in 1988 and soon after a third daughter, Ashley Lane joined the crew in 1990.

Cathy worked as a postal clerk for both Old Logan and Follett Post Offices and eventually took over the roll as Postmaster at Follett. Her smile always lit up the room and she was a bright light in the heart of the small town. She saw many people every day, but few really SEE people as Cathy did. She excelled at her job, but it was never about the job, it was the people that she loved.

She was an amazing mother and wife and she and Steve made a home full of joy, laughter, and love. Together they instilled in their girls a fervent love for God, a love for people, and a willingness to work. Countless hours were spent supporting the girls in every event they took part in, since they would never think of missing single game or performance.

Their home was always filled with music as the whole family loved to play instruments and sing together, and they took their talents to Midway Country Church, where they loved being part of their church family and served in many ways. Steve and Cathy were thrilled to help build a community youth group in Follett, and it was common to see the street lined with cars in front of their house as teens poured into their “second home” where they were fed spiritually but also fed physically as Cathy wasn’t one to ever let someone be even a little bit hungry. She was always welcoming and soon she welcomed three sons-in-law that she loved dearly as if they were her own.

If you thought Cathy was a good mother, just wait until you hear about what a grandmother she was! Lovingly dubbed “Nan” by Logan, her first grandchild, she was the picture of what a grandma should be. Thirteen grandchildren were born one after another after another and her heart must have grown thirteen sizes because she loved each one as if they were the most precious person on earth. The number of books read, bedtime stories told, and ballgames watched were endless. The amount of food that she cooked for everyone, the crayon art to be admired, and the mountain of shoes at the door was unfathomable. The presents under the Christmas tree, overflowing stockings, eggs to be filled and hidden were equally unbelievable. She was having the time of her life.

When she was able to retire and became full-time “Nanny” she could not have been happier. Her retirement also meant she and Steve were able to spend summers living at the farm and gardening together, which was something they both loved. On cool summer mornings they could be found in the greenhouse singing songs of worship together and praying over their family as they picked and pruned. It was her greatest desire that all of those that came after her would serve the Lord.

Cathy faced many hardships, the last of which was metastatic breast cancer, with strength and grace. She had the most beautiful, genuine smile that could put anyone at ease, and she wore it through every appointment, every treatment, every report. They told her she might live three years and she lived six. She was one of a select few who could rise to meet challenges with a smile, and that smile meant that everyone was Cathy’s friend.  She touched the lives of so many people in her 66 years.

Cathy was preceded in death by her parents, Winton and Billie (Gardner) Jett and her brother W.D. Jett. Left to cherish her memory are her husband Steve, Coby and Stephanie Cook and their children Logan and wife Diona, Jerah, Tyler, and Haddie, Ben and Lindsey Danner and their children Shai, Judah, Ezra, Psalm (Chum), and Boaz, Tanner and Ashley Woods and their children Brynli, Rainee, Jett, and Joleigh, and brother Stanley Jett and family.

Rest, Nan. Well done.

A memorial service will be held in Cathy’s honor at Trinity Faith Fellowship Church in Laverne, Oklahoma on Friday, November 15th at 10:30 in the morning. The service will be streamed live on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TFFMinistries/

In lieu of memorials, donations can be made to the Apostolic Faith Bible College, P.O. Box 110 Baxter Springs, KS, 66713. https://www.afbiblecollege.com/