Barbara Jean Tucker Arnold

Barbara Jean Tucker Arnold, age 81, of 932 Parkview Street died December 18 in the Intensive Care Unit of the High Point Regional Hospital. Born in Charleston, West Virginia on April 7, 1936, she attended St. Alban's High School, where she was inducted into the National Honor Society. In her junior year, Barbara was selected as Miss Kanawha (County) Majorette of 1953 and, in 1955, she was crowned Miss West Virginia. She married architect David Arnold the following year; that marriage ended in divorce. Barbara received her Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, from Morris Harvey College (now the University of Charleston) and earned her Masters of Education from the University of North Carolina Greensboro with additional certifications in Guidance, Supervision, Research and Administration. While studying toward a Ph.D., Barbara received her Sixth Year Certification as an Education Specialist with Honors at Appalachian State University (see photo). Beginning in 1965, Barbara taught High School English in the Asheboro City School System. In 1973, she was recruited to the Randolph County School System, as a school psychologist. Three years later, she was named their Director of Student Services & Testing. During her two-decade career in the Randolph County system, Barbara chaired, initiated and created programs that focused on improved student-testing, child-protection and drug and drop-out prevention. She was a member of many organizations including DARE, Alpha Omicron Pi sorority, American Association of University Women, Business & Professional Women's club, Kappa Delta Pi National Honor Society for Educators, National Board of Certified Counselors and North Carolina Association of Educators. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents Carl and Irene Tucker as well as two younger brothers, Michael Joseph and Barry Wayne Tucker. She is survived by a daughter Valerie Kennedy (Harold) of Thomasville, a son David James "DJ" Arnold, Jr. of Winston-Salem as well as her significant other of 34 years, Dean Everette of Germantown, Maryland and Asheboro. Grandchildren are Alex Kennedy of Wilmington, North Carolina, Adrien Doughty and Nicole Scott of Houston, Texas. Other survivors are a brother Daniel Ray "Buddy" Tucker of Spring Hill, Florida, a sister, Donna Carol Story of San Antonio, Texas, five nieces and nephews as well as five great-nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at Pugh Funeral Home, Asheboro on Friday, January 5 at 5PM. An additional gathering is being planned on her birthday, April 7, in St. Alban's, West Virginia.