Arnold Ancestors - Generation 4 - Ruby Dorcas Hicks, Part Two

Ruby Hicks married Arvil Franklin ‘Jack’ Barnett 03 October 1926 in Judsonia, White County, Arkansas

Arvil was the son of William Calvin Barnett and Dora Quattlebaum. He was born 04 April 1906 in Romance, White County, Arkansas, and died 18 September 1992 in Searcy, White County, Arkansas. The Barnett family is intertwined with the Arnold family in several ways. More about that later.

PHOTO: Jack and Ruby with Elvin Hicks (Ruby's brother)

In 1984 Jack and Ruby celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary at the annual Carter/Arnold family reunion in Floral, Arkansas

This is how I remember them. During my childhood they lived near us and worked at Friday Farms. 

Here is what Bob Burford (Ruby's nephew) wrote:

Vic Friday owned half of Michigan. Jack and Ruby lived in Missouri. Vic offered Jack a job - foreman or some such thing. Gave them a house, a company vehicle, and a very nice income. I'm sure there were other nice perks that went along with the deal. Jack had a 4th-grade education, couldn't read or write. (He would occasionally ask Ruby to get her Bible and read to him about "Edam and Ab.") But he was doing way better than his better educated relatives.

Jack and Ruby had one child, a daughter, Oma Dell.

Oma Dell was born with a cleft palate. She had it surgically repaired when she was about 10 or 11 years old. 

Jack Barnett was a very tender-hearted man. One of the things I've heard in the family was this -- The reason they only had one child was because after seeing Ruby go through childbirth, he couldn't stand the thought of her having to experience that ordeal ever again. It's the same reason they waited so long before having Oma Dell's cleft palate fixed. Jack couldn't bear the idea of his little girl going through surgery.

Jack and Ruby were married 65 years. 

Ruby Dorcas Hicks Barnett died 01 January 2004, in Searcy, White County, Arkansas.

Jack and Ruby are buried in Quattlebaum Cemetery in White County, Arkansas

(The Quattlebaum family is Jack's mother's relatives.)