Rhoda Pearl Smithson Arave

Rhoda Pearl Smithson Arave, 81, passed away Tuesday, January 9, 2019, surrounded by her family at her home in Eagar. She was born May 29, 1937 in Wickenburg, the daughter of John Henry Smithson and Mildred Lines Smithson.

Rhoda was passionate about so many things. She graduated from BYU in Home Economics and taught school in Utah and California. She loved to talk politics and was involved as a precinct committee woman. She supported her children in band and served as Band Booster President for them. Rhoda loved baseball and wouldn’t miss a Diamondbacks game for any reason. She was an expert cook, seamstress and crocheter. She loved to read and had a repertoire of thousands of titles. Rhoda was a friend to everyone she met and deeply loved her children and grandchildren and will be greatly missed by them.

Rhoda is survived by her husband, Ramon Vernon Arave, Eagar; sons, Robert (Heather) Arave, Gilbert; Dustin (Heather) Arave, St. Johns; daughters, MaryAnna (Fred) Frazier, North Ogden, Utah; Paula (Joseph) Flake, Snowflake; Laurie (Kevin) Ringger, Peoria; Julie (David) Olsen, Mesa; 32 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her daughters, Carla June Arave, Emily Joan Arave and son, Benny Jay Arave.

Funeral services will be held Monday, January 14, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Amity building. Interment will follow the funeral services at the Eagar Cemetery.