of Little Rock, AR
February 26, 1934 - July 9, 2025
Arlene Kuehling LaGrone passed from this life on July 9, 2025. She was born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1934 to Edna (Niebling) and Arthur Kuehling. She attended Vandalia Elementary in Vandalia, MO; Shenandoah Elementary, Susan R. Buder Elementary and Southwest High in St. Louis and graduated from Carr Central High School in Vicksburg, MS. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Texas State College for Women (now Texas Woman's University) in Denton, TX.
After college, she worked for DeGolyer and MacNaughton Oil Consultants in Dallas, TX for over 4 years, before meeting and marrying Mitch LaGrone. They moved to Mitch's hometown of Hope, AR and opened LaGrone Insurance and Realty Agency. Arlene and Mitch moved to Little Rock in 2001 to be nearer to their children and grandchildren. They became members of Trinity United Methodist Church and belonged to the Searchers Sunday School Class. They moved to Maumelle in 2005 and later became members of St. James United Methodist Church of Little Rock and the New Challenges Sunday School Class. In 2017 they returned to Little Rock and settled in Parkway Village.
As a child Arlene loved to play with paper dolls, listen to music on the radio and build snow forts. She became a rabid Cardinals baseball fan as a teen, listening to every game on the radio. She knew every player's batting average and kept score on a homemade scorecard. She and her sister learned to swim at the YWCA and taught themselves to play tennis by looking up the rules in the encyclopedia.
After marrying and starting a family in Hope, Arlene became a charter member and the first treasurer of Beryl Henry Elementary PTA and a Cub Scout den mother. She served many roles in the First United Methodist Church, including Administrative Board, Sunday School and VBS teacher, Building Committee treasurer and setup and maintained the church library. She served as a board member for the Hempstead County Library, treasurer of the Rose Hill Cemetery board, charter member and treasurer of the Hempstead County Genealogical Society, longtime volunteer at Southwest Arkansas Regional Archives in Old Washington and volunteered in the County Clerk's office to organize and preserve vital old records. She was chosen as Hope-Hempstead County Citizen of the Year 1999-2000 by the Chamber of Commerce. Even in retirement she used her organizational skills while volunteering in the Little Rock public schools, the St. James music library and the Parkway Village library.
Since Arlene could not interest Mitch in tennis, she joined him on the golf course. They enjoyed playing in local tournaments and planning vacations around courses they wanted to play. Her favorite family vacations were spent snow-skiing in Colorado. She also traveled to Salt Lake City several times with fellow genealogy enthusiasts to research family histories. In her spare time, she was usually working on a jigsaw puzzle, knitting one of the fifty-plus lap robes and prayer shawls she completed, gardening or cheering on the Razorbacks.
In her last days she frequently reminded us ''to love others as God has loved you.''
Arlene was predeceased by her husband of 64 years; her parents and her sister, Ruth Nevels. She is survived by her children, Dean (Bonnie), Andy (Lisa), Pat, Jeanne (Kenny) De Luca; nieces, Marilyn Corley, Robin Beard, Anne Greenwood; nephew, Tim Daniels; 6 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life service will be held Thursday, July 17th at 3:00 p.m. at St. James United Methodist Church, located at 321 Pleasant Valley Drive in Little Rock, Arkansas. Following the service, friends are invited to join the family for refreshments and visitation. A private burial will be held at Riverwood Memorial Gardens in Maumelle.
Memorials may be made to St. James United Methodist Church, Pfeifer Camp, Arkansas Children's Hospital or charity of choice. Any flowers should be delivered to St. James United Methodist Church.
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19 Condolence(s)
Lana Prince Guinn
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
My condolences for your loss!
Arlene was a strong and amazing lady who raised fine children.
Joanne and Charles Matson
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Andy and Lisa, Ellis and Anna, we are so sorry to hear about Arlene. May her memory be a blessing. Joanne
Diane Ellis Barksdale
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Arlene was a role model for me in Hope. She was very much admired for her involvement in so many community activities that made life richer for many others. Every encounter I had with Arlene was met with her gracious, warm and smiling welcome. It felt good to be in her presence.
She and Mitch were very special people for me, my husband and my parents.
Prayers for the family.
Yvonne Hendrix
Monday, July 14, 2025
Pat, so sorry. Your mom was so special! Praying for comfort and peace!!!
Y-
Susan Boe
Sunday, July 13, 2025
Andy and family I am so sorry for your loss. I hope it's a comfort to know lots of friends are holding you close in their heart.
Loris Fullerton
Sunday, July 13, 2025
Andy and family,
I was so sorry to read about your Mom in the paper today. Thinking of you and your family, sending prayers and love.
Loris
Stacey Jones
Sunday, July 13, 2025
Jeanie, Pat, Andy, Dean and family,
Arlene was so welcoming with open arms to my family when we moved to Hope. She was strong willed, smart and very sweet. I remember her giving back to the community especially the library. We had a great library for a small town. She and Mary Nell Turner helped research and fill out the paper work for mother to be part of Daughters of American Revolution. What an honor to have known Arlene and your father. My parents held them to the highest respect as we all did. Continued prayers.
Tela and Steve Brackins
Friday, July 11, 2025
Arlene and Mitch were special. They so enjoyed a visit from our Puppy. Arlene walked her dog for a long long time. Arlene always could be depended upon to give you the warmest smile ever.
We will definitely miss that heart warming smile and sweet sweet voice.
Bill Page
Friday, July 11, 2025
She will be missed. They moved in here shortly after we did. A very special lady.
Dave and Ellen DeLuca
Friday, July 11, 2025
Obviously we didnt get to meet her, but from what we can read and how perky and encouraging, Jeanne became it sounds like she màde her time on this earth impactful and maybe we'll appreciate how much when we see her in the next life
Clarice Miller
Friday, July 11, 2025
Andy and family,
Sorry to hear about the death of your Mother. She appeared to have lead a fulfilling life taking care of her family and involving herself in activities which enriched her life tremendously.
Clarice Miller
Michael Sillavan
Friday, July 11, 2025
Wayne & Elaine Johnson
Thursday, July 10, 2025
So sorry for your loss! Wayne and I sure thought a lot of Arlene and your whole family. Sending our prayers and love to this sweet family.
Terri Boatwright
Thursday, July 10, 2025
My deepest condolences to the LaGrone family.
Rachel Blanford
Thursday, July 10, 2025
It was a privilege to care for Ms. LaGrone even to the very end. She was a very special lady and will be greatly missed❤️
Cay (Young) Overturf
Thursday, July 10, 2025
I'm so sorry for your loss of such a sweet and wonderful lady! Prayers for the whole family! Pat I hope you're doing good! My deepest condolences!
Bob and. Sandra Whitek
Thursday, July 10, 2025
What a Beautiful lady she was,I would kid Mitch by asking how did you ever find a Trophy like her.
Dixie Coffee
Thursday, July 10, 2025
We are so sorry to hear about Arlene's death. She was a friend and patient and dear church member. We will have you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.
Bill & Dixie Coffee
Cindy Fulenwider
Thursday, July 10, 2025
Arlene was a sweet blessing to me from the beginning of our adventure in Parkway Village in September , 2023. We visited on our patio, the dining room and on some of her daily walks. One day I was surprised with a lovely bouquet of roses she had picked in her yard and brought to me!! I want to be a thoughtful and friendly neighbor just like Arlene was to me as a new resident in the Village🌸🦋🌸