Cynthia Arthur

Sisters come in many forms. Some can give you a glance and without a word tell you what cards they're holding. Another can look at you with that certain glint in her eye and have you wondering whether you're about to be verbally praised or pummeled. Still others can make you feel connected to their heart regardless of location, years, or the lifetimes between you. Cynthia Denise Arthur (nee Stegall) was all of these. A woman whose reign in the lives around her could make you swoon over her cooking prowess, make you nod in admiration of her sleek style, (or the panther-colored Porsche she drove); and even contemplate your life decisions with the help of her straightforward wisdom. You needn't love playing bid whist or pinochle to know she was the queen of hearts. The queen of our hearts.

Cynthia Denise was born in Los Angeles in the winter of 1949. Her parents, Wallace Udell Stegall and Addie Mae Williams had met in college in Pine Bluff, Arkansas in the 1940s-Addie Mae, an exceptional and dedicated home economics teacher and Wallace, a master mathematician with an entrepreneurial mind set, a decidedly unique skill for the post Jim Crow Era. The young couple moved to Los Angeles where Wallace Stegall designed and built their home and where Addie Mae began a career in education in the Los Angeles School system that flourished throughout her lifetime. The two raised four daughters. A first-born son died in infancy.

Cynthia was the middle child, the second daughter, the protector who had little tolerance for nonsense and never minced words to make her point; but was also a magnanimous giver, whether sharing her movie allowance with a sister who'd spent hers or giving advice on how to choose investments including never to buy anything you couldn't hock.

She seemed to have a core philosophy on friendships, inviting you into a sense of belonging, enjoying the pleasure of your company and sharing her loyalty. That loyalty extended even to her former husband John McDowell. She was also married to Alvin Arthur. Cynthia's nature was generosity in spirit, in laughter, and in love, offering you support whether you were a sister, a niece a nephew, cousin or friend.

Cynthia matriculated in the L.A. county school system, attending 118th Street Elementary School, Bret Harte Junior High and Washington High School. After graduating in 1967 she studied at Spelman College in Atlanta, GA and California State University at Humbolt before returning to L.A. to a career in telecommunications. At the time, it was a field dominated by white men, but she was more than capable of holding her own and used her intellect and prowess to excel on the job, giving Verizon 36 years of excellence before retiring in 2006. Her entrepreneurial spirit also inspired a thriving realty portfolio on the side. Her relationship skills, confidence, her ability to stride into any room and be an expression of both beauty and intelligence, seemed to be the echo of her beloved momma, Addie Mae. You could hear it in her voice, her banter, and see it in her smile.

After retirement Cynthia spent her time beautifying her home, making Christmases the most spectacular event of the season, taking RV road trips with close friends, travel expeditions with her card playing family and bestowing love on friends and family alike with only one admonition: give what you have and let people be who they are. If they don't care for you, they can move on. And oft times, the delivery of that last line could raise an eyebrow. And that would be alright too.

Cynthia Denise has left the room, but never our hearts. She is remembered and loved by sisters Elfredia Stegall Randall Charlot, Sharon Kay Stegall, Clemmie Stegall Booker and Brother-in-Law Harold Charlot Jr. She is still held tightly by beloved niece Terri Randall and nephew Stevan Booker. They, along with dear friends Shelia Reed, Patricia (Pat) Williams and a host of loved ones now release Cynthia to rejoin those who preceded her in death: father Wallace, mother Addie Mae, nephew Darryl Booker Jr.

We who await our own transition will carry her in our hearts until that time Jesus our Christ calls us to enter His kingdom, letting us leave all sorrow behind us.