Lou Ella Brunt Arnold

Lou Ella Rye Brunt Arnold, age 86, of Bartlett, went to be with our Lord on March 26, 2022, in Bartlett, Tx.

Lou was the first of 9 children born to Weldon and Marta Merino Rye. She was born in Phoenix, AZ on August 25, 1935.  She went to school in Arkansas and Texas, graduating from Edinburg.  Lou married William (Bill) Brunt Jr. on Sept 29, 1952, and they had 4 children.  After Bill’s death in 1990, she married Dave Arnold.  She was predominately a stay at home mom but worked at many different jobs over the years including waitress, bus driver, business owner, grocery checker and office clerk. Around Austin, Lou worked at HEB for many years, served as Secretary for Ben Hur Shrine and retired from DPS.  As a teenager, she was a Rainbow Girl and played basketball.  Lou learned to play the piano at an early age and was the pianist at several churches. She played at Haynie Chapel in Garfield for 20 years, and most recently at First United Methodist Church in Bartlett this past advent season.

Lou enjoyed cooking for her family and hosting family gatherings.  At an early age, she stood on a stool her father made her so she could prepare a meal for the family.  She also was responsible for having her brothers and sisters dressed for school in clean clothes while her mother was involved with the war effort.  It was not uncommon for enlisted brothers to stay with Lou and Bill when on leave.  Her sister Margo stayed during summer breaks from school because of her attachment to Lou.

Lou is survived by her 4 children and their spouses, Cindy and Tommy Starns, Terry and Rick Heckman, Cheryl and Rocky Marlatt and William (Trey) Brunt III, 6 brothers and sisters and their spouses, Weldon and Leola Rye, Marta Sue Tyler, Gregory and Vinna Rye, Margo and Ed Whitmore, Timothy and Pat Rye and Brenda and Dennis Russell, 9 Grandchildren and their spouses, Dawn and Tim Arnold, Amy and Bob Farris, Cody and Jennifer Starns, Kirk Heckman and Leah Payne, Kyle and Sandi Heckman, Kerry Heckman, Kenneth Marlatt, Erin and Mark Schuck and Ashley Brunt and 11 great-Grandchildren, Shelby Podraza, Ty Arnold, Bailey Starns, Zane Starns, Codi Lynn Starns, Mark Farris, Will Farris, Clay Farris, Reagan Heckman, Conner Heckman, Cooper Heckman, Easton Heckman, Kaytlyn Marlatt, Laycee Marlatt, Caroline Schuck, Camille Schuck, Gavyn Carter, Jackson Carter and 2 great-great grandchildren Priscilla Podraza and Beau Waylon Starns as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Lou is preceded in death by her parents Revs. Weldon and Marta Rye, brothers Stephen and Seth Rye, husbands Bill Brunt, Dave Arnold and Billy Hill.

Her grandsons Cody Starns, Kirk Heckman, Kerry Heckman, Kyle Heckman, Kenneth Marlatt and close friend, Randy Brazealle will serve as pallbearers.

Services will be held April 6, 2022, at Bastrop Providence Funeral Home.  Visitation from 10a-12p,  funeral service at 12p with burial following at Fairview Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to First United Methodist Church in Bartlett and American Cancer Society.

The family of Lou Arnold wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Baylor Scott and White Hospice.