Carolyn's obituary
Carolyn Sue Arney (formerly Dailey)
June 5, 1941 – January 8, 2026
Carolyn Arney, 84, passed away peacefully on January 8, 2026 in Gilbert, AZ. Born and raised in Missouri to George and Mary Dailey of Camden, MO, Carolyn carried with her a strong sense of family, resilience, and warmth throughout her life.
A graduate of Orrick High School, Carolyn married her high school sweetheart, Tom Arney, and together they shared 62 years of marriage filled with love, partnership, and adventure. Their life together took them across the country, living in Illinois, Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Arizona, Connecticut, New York, North Carolina, and the Florida Keys. One of their most cherished experiences was spending time living aboard a 50-foot boat in the Florida Keys, reflecting their shared love of boating and the open water.
Carolyn enjoyed gardening, golf, animals, and spending time outdoors. Tom and Carolyn retired to Shallotte, N.C. where they enjoyed playing golf and were part of the Brierwood Golf community.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Benton Arney, who died in 2020, and her son, Thomas Benton Arney Jr. who passed away in 2014. She is survived by her daughter, Terresa Arney and Richard Cooke, of Arizona, sister, Sharon Pence and brother-in-law Bill Pence of Camden, Missouri, two grandchildren, Samantha Sindel and Rich Lauzier, from Rhode Island, Sean Sindel of Connecticut, niece Juju Ishmael and Doron Weisbarth of Seattle, Washington and 2 nephews, Randall Freeman and Gary Freeman.
Carolyn will be remembered as a devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother, and a woman who embraced life’s journey with grace and curiosity.
One of Carolyn’s passions were horses. She had her own horse, Sweetheart, when growing up in Missouri. That love of animals and horses stayed with her throughout her life. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to one of Carolyn’s passions in her name: the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group located in Phoenix, AZ.
Salt River Wild Horses