Viola Margaret Weiss Arnold, of Waller, Texas, passed away August 13, 2015. She was born December 23, 1922 to John James Weiss and Pearl Edna Voos Weiss in Tyler TX. She and her five sisters, Mary, Ora, Rose, Ruth, and Rachel, were raised across from the city park, where Viola spent many hours on the tennis court. She graduated from Tyler High School in 1940 and then attended East Texas State Teacher College in Commerce, Texas. She graduated with her teaching degree in 1943. She continued playing tennis, however she earned a letter jacket as the Table Tennis Winner of 1943. She said tennis required too much after school practice and her goal was to finish school in three years. Viola spent the summer of 1941 working for the War Department in Washington D.C.

Her future husband, Raymond Wade Arnold, was stationed in South Carolina and on September 5, 1943, they eloped to Georgia. Raymond was shipped out two days later. When the war was over, they made their home in Tyler. They started their family in 1946 with the birth of the first of seven children. They were married for over 66 years.

In the early 1960's she went back into teaching. The family moved to Waller Texas in 1962 where Viola was the physical education teacher and coach for both junior and senior high girls and taught junior high English and science. Many of her students fondly remember her unique discipline techniques in the classroom. She received her Masters from Sam Houston in 1968. In 1980 she transferred to Holleman Elementary, where she taught until retirement in 1989.

After retirement, Viola stayed busy. She took art classes at the community center and joined the Country Palette Art League of Hempstead. She became quite famous in the family for her bluebonnet and country scenes on mugs, plates, pitchers, saw blades, and canvas. She and Raymond traveled around the US, visiting family and national landmarks. Most Tuesdays and Fridays, Viola could be found at the community center playing dominoes.

She became a member of the Waller Baptist Church in 1962. She served as a children's Sunday School teacher for many years. She was an active member of the Ruth Class, a wonderful and loving group of friends. She participated in most activities at the Church and mission outreach programs.

Viola is preceded in death by her parents, her sisters, her husband Raymond, and grandson, Raymond Clayton Arnold, Jr.

Survivors include four sons and three daughters: Ray and Linda Westphal Arnold (Conroe), Lee and Terry Arnold (Waller), Donna and Bryan Lowe (Hockley), Janet and Lenert Kurtz (Rosenberg), Monica and Sam McQueen (Willis), Ted and Barbara Arnold (Rosenberg), Tommy Arnold and Melissa Moore (Somerville); 13 grandchildren and spouses: Nancy Rae Smith, David Scott Arnold, Blake and Kim Arnold, Jason and Jennifer Arnold, Matthew and Jaylene Kennedy, Kevin Lowe, Kim and David Seiley, Keith and Hollie Lowe, Melanie and Mike Ruiz, Melissa Kelly, Michelle and Steven Garcia, Kristy Arnold, and Thomas Arnold; 13 great grandchildren: Ashlyn Smith, Joseph Arnold, Tyler and Brooke Arnold, Dylan and Cade Arnold, Flint Kennedy, Joshua and Johnathan Seiley, Logan Gill, Hunter Shoemake, Preston and Layla Ruiz. She was also the adopted mother and grandmother to Larry and Billye Sherrill, Tammy and Keith Nishimi, Tasha and Jason Bienski, Morgan and Meredith Nishimi, Becca and Bryn Bienski.

Services are under the direction of Canon Funeral Home, Waller, Texas. Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 16, 5-7 pm at the Funeral Home. Services will be officiated by Chris Pace and held at Waller Baptist Church on Monday, August 17 at 11:00 am. Burial will follow at Waller Cemetery. Pallbearers will be the seven grandsons. Memorials may be made to the Waller Baptist Church Library Fund, PO Box 406, Waller TX 77484, or charity of choice.

The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff at Brown House for their care and concern these last few months.