Shirley Ann Arnold

1931 - 2019

SHIRLEY ANN ARNOLD
December 26, 1931 - July 30, 2019

Shirley was born to Danville E Weaver and Catherine Lucille Weaver (Butt) on December 26, 1931 in Decatur, Illinois. The family moved from Decatur, first to National City, and soon after to Bakersfield where Danville established Master Cleaners dry cleaning plant. In her youth, Shirley attended East Bakersfield High School and worked in the family business.

Shirley was married to Albert Ray Colvin (deceased 1983) with whom she had three children all of Bakersfield, CA; Albert R (Tuck) Colvin Jr (deceased in 2017), Teddy R Richert and Kerry R Colvin. In the mid-1950s Shirley began a career with Mayfair Markets covering many positions including department management. There she met and eventually married the love of her life, James "Jim" R Arnold, who was the Store Manager at the Westchester, and later the Valley Plaza stores. Jim passed away after a short illness at age 39 in 1972.

After Jim's passing, Shirley returned to school earning an AA degree at Bakersfield College and both a Bachelors and Master's degrees in Psychology and Education at Cal State University Bakersfield. After college she did her internship with the Salvation Army in Bakersfield where she began developing a reputation as a gifted therapist and later worked for Catholic Social Services providing counseling to patients across Kern County and finally as therapist with Kern County Mental Health. During her time with Kern County she was primarily focused on issues associated with children and families. She was highly regarded as a fair but tough expert witness in court and sometimes feared by opposing witnesses. She retired from that position in 1997. Over the past 30 years Shirley, in addition to managing her education and professional career and in partnership with her son Kerry, built and operated Mom's Donut Shop and also bought and sold houses and duplexes retaining some as rental properties.

Shirley was a devoted Christian living a purposeful life and was an active member of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) which is now called Mill Creek Christian Church. Since the early 1950's she was actively involved in the church's affairs, serving as an Elder, Board member, Board Secretary, President of the Christian Woman's Fellowship, Secretary and numerous committees and she was a Prayer Warrior offering hands and prayers to anyone in need. People often said she prayed the most beautiful and powerful prayers. Shirley and her three sisters were amazing, strong, confident and industrious women and were endearingly referred to as the "Weaver Girls." Her three sisters and brothers-in-law preceded her in death including Beth Ahlf (Stanley), Jeanne Foth (Paul "Bus") and Nancy Helmstedter (Warren).

She was a most interesting, fun and confident woman that had many talents and shared them freely and with compassion and joy. She had the ability to laugh at herself when appropriate and shared that laughter with others. There are so many stories to be told and enjoyed regarding all aspects of her life. Shirley suffered with Severe Asthma through 1970s and 1980s that brought her near death on several occasions. However, in the 1990s the Asthma became largely controlled and her health was much better. Even during her times of illness she continued living fully and left a trail of joy wherever she was.

Shirley leaves, daughter Teddy R Richert (Bill) and son Kerry R Colvin (former wife, Linda Strong), Grandchildren Jon C Richert (Kira), Michelle Hutchinson (Ron), Angela M Wilhoit (Lem), Great-grandchildren Whitney Colvin, Aiden Richert, Blake Richert, and Tyson Richert. She also left and loved many nieces and nephews and Grand nieces and nephews.

Services will be held 10:00 AM Saturday August 10th at Mill Creek Christian Church at 1660 "S" Street (at Truxtun Avenue across the street from Amtrak Station). Following the service a reception including lunch will be in Fellowship Hall at the church. In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to Valley Children's Hospital or Bakersfield Heart Association. The family wants to thank the operators and staff at The Trinity Care for providing our mother a safe, loving and nurturing home. Also, Optimal Hospice staff for maintaining open communications and their loving support.