Libby Arnold left positive impact on those around her

Libby Arnold’s dedication to those in need, the community and the Rotary Club of Port Arthur has long been documented.

Through those years she has left a positive mark on those she encountered.

Arnold, 76, died Tuesday and her passing is being felt across the area.

A Mid-County resident Arnold was executive director at the nonprofit agency County Care-Prayer Outreach.

For her it was more than a job; it was her calling in life and where she was supposed to be, she said in a 2003 article.

“I think there’s one reason God keeps me here, it’s not just the job, it’s a calling to be here,” she said. “The blessings of God have been on me — they’re priceless.”

County Care-Prayer Outreach noted her death on social media.

“Libby was a faithful servant who loved God and loved people and did those two things very well. She served our community as Executive Director of Community Care-Prayer Outreach for 30 years,” the post read. “Libby also served Mid-County in many other various ways. Libby has made lasting impacts in the lives of countless individuals and families and she will be dearly missed. We know that Libby is made whole and is in the loving embrace of her Heavenly Father whom she sang praises of with every aspect of her life. Join with us in prayer and celebration of a life well-lived and a woman well-loved and respected.”

Dr. Jesus Acosta, president of the Rotary Club of Port Arthur, said Arnold was the first Latina to be president of the club.

A delivery of Thanksgiving food boxes from the Bob Hope High School Interact Students to Community Care Prayer Outreach. (Courtesy photo)

She encouraged Acosta to join the organization and become involved in the leadership. She offered great advice and they shared several jokes.

Arnold was also a big supporter of Bob Hopes School where Acosta is campus director. While attending a Boots And BBQ event hosted by Bob Hope School’s CEO Dr. Bobby Lopez, Acosta wore a cowboy hat, he said.

“Libby came up to me and said I looked like the Mexican Rip from the show Yellowstone. This became a big joke as I went to get my wife Arianna so Libby could repeat it to her,” Acosta said. “We laughed and she said she would call me the Mexican Rip. The funny thing is that I would never correct Libby and tell her I’m actually Puerto Rican just as long as she kept calling me Rip.”

Arnold is also lauded for dedicating her life to helping others Internationally through her participation in Rotary and locally via Community Care Prayer Outreach, he added.

Arnold was able to attend Acosta’s installation ceremony June 27 as he took the helm as Rotary president during which Arnold was recognized for her multiple Paul Harris Fellow award.

“This was her last Rotary meeting and she took her time to talk about her love for the club and her dear friends she had made while being a member of the club,” he said.

Libby Arnold, CCPO executive director shows representatives of Golden Pass LNG and construction partner CCZJV a peek inside the organization following the industry’s donation of $10,000 in 2022. (Mary Meaux/The News)

“We know that along with her strong faith and children she had a love for the Rotary Club of Port Arthur, Texas. Libby Arnold will be truly missed but we know that she was a good and faithful servant to God and to every person she came in contact with,” he added.

Nederland City Manager Chris Duque met Arnold some years back at a city event during which he learned what CCPO did for the community.

Since then the city staff and employees have organized food drives, toy drives, school supply drives and more. Even some city departments got in on the good deeds such as the library and the recreation center.

“Any help we could provide she was so happy to get,” Duque said. “Me, the city council and employees loved working with them and we knew everything provided was put to a good cause and help a need.”

The United Way of Mid and South Jefferson County also posted their condolences on the loss of Arnold on social media, saying they lost a friend, a community leader and faithful servant.

“Libby leaves a legacy of service and compassion through her leadership at Community Care Prayer Outreach,” the post read. “Her smile and laugh could lighten a room; a hug was a gift of friendship. Under her leadership, thousands upon thousands of our neighbors have had a place to turn for a helping hand and faithful support. Because of her leadership, those in need will continue to have a place to turn for help. Libby, we will miss you.”

Services for Libby Arnold will be held at A Church of Jesus, 601 Victor, Port Neches. Visitation is from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday and the funeral service is at 10 a.m. Saturday.

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