Barbara "Sue" Arnold

Barbara Sue Arnold reached her heavenly goal on December 7, 2025, surrounded by her family. She entered this life in her parents' home on January 25, 1950. She was born to Virgil and Mary Swearengin of Fordland, MO. and enjoyed the early years of her life on the family farm with her two older sisters, and later, her two younger brothers. She helped with the egg collecting for 5,000 laying hens and the care of 5,000 black domestic turkeys, as well as household chores with her mother. She had a very special bond with her sister, Kay, as they were often more like twins because of their closeness in age. Often dressing alike and enjoying adventures together.

Sue’s education began in Wagner, a one room schoolhouse close to home, and continued from second grade on in the Ava School system. She attended Mt. Zion Bible School her sophomore and senior years. She graduated as the salutatorian of her class in 1968. She attended Kansas City College and Bible School her freshman year of college before returning home due to illness.

Her work career included babysitting in her younger years, being a caregiver in various nursing facilities, Fasco, Consumers Market, Opaa! Food Management in Nixa Schools, and last as a housekeeper for Lakewood Assisted Living where she later resided in her final days.

Sue had varied interests such as sewing, music (playing piano and in the school band, as well as singing specials at church), fishing, camping (especially at Roark Bluff), showing the ‘55 Chevy and participating in parades, teaching Sunday School and VBS, and worshipping with her friends at Nixa Church of the Nazarene where she was a long-time member. She felt blessed to have not only been saved on the day of her birth, but again, by Jesus Christ, in December 1959.

She was generous, kind, and always thinking of others before herself. (She served as a caregiver to several family members) She wrote that she wanted to be remembered for “helping others as much as possible and being a Christian lady”.

She loved her large family and is survived by her children, Bryan Neuenschwander, Springfield; David (Dana) Neuenschwander, Nixa; Lori Call, Springfield; Step-children, Melinda ( Christopher) Shell, Salem; Crystal (Ransom) Proctor, Dadeville; Dusty Arnold, Cave Springs; Grandchildren, Blake Neuenschwander, Alyssa Jackson-Pearce, Christian Long, Megan McGuire, Sammy McGuire, Alex McGuire, Bell McGuire, Wiley Proctor, Lucy Proctor and nine Great-Grandchildren and a host of extended family members. Also, her mother, Mary Swearengin; Sister, Kay (Bob) Fleming; and Brother, Gary (Jennifer) Swearengin; and Brother-in-law, Rich Kisner. Sue was preceded in death by husband, Max Arnold; a special Grandmother, Ruby Swearengin; Father, Virgil Swearengin; Sister, Diane Kisner; and, Brother, Eddie Swearengin.

A funeral service for Barbara "Sue" Arnold will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 11, 2025 at Adams Funeral Home, Nixa, with Gary Swearengin officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery, Willard.

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. immediately before the funeral at the funeral home.