In Memoriam: Arline Chandler Smith April 19, 1939 – January 12, 2016

It is with great sadness to express the loss of long-time author and RV Life contributor, Arline Chandler-Smith who lost her life to Cancer, Tuesday, January 12, 2016. She was 76.

An avid RVer, writer, and teacher, Arline traveled North America fascinating readers of RV Life for more than seven years. Her captivating writing style expertly outlined the many exciting destinations she visited and illustrated the several fascinating people she had met during her journeys. Always cheerful, pleasant and full of adventure, Arline and her enticing story telling will be dearly missed.

With a childhood dream to absorb as much of the nation`s history and beauty as she could, Arline and her photographer husband, Lee, traveled in their motorhome several months every year – from Maine to Alaska to Mexico and dozens of destinations in between. They enjoyed several winters in Arizona and the summer of 2014 in West Yellowstone, Montana.

Always one for adventure, her travels led her to enjoy many outdoor adventures to include riding horseback in South Dakota, river rafting on the Snake River in Idaho and enjoying bike rides along the carriage road system of Acadia National Park in Maine. She also endured a harrowing flight to Barrow, Alaska – the 11th northernmost city in the world, located above the Arctic Circle.

Arline made her permanent home in Heber Springs, Arkansas. Among the many achievements in her writing career, Arline has been a presenter for Workamper Rendezvous (sponsored by Workamper News), and has been published in dozens of magazines and publications. She is also an accomplished author with five books to her credit including Road Work: The Ultimate RVing Adventure; Road Work II: The RVer’s Ultimate Income Resource Guide; Truly Zula; When Heads & Hearts Collide; and The Heart of Branson.

Born April 19, 1939, in Searcy, Arkansas, Arline led an illustrious life where she also possessed a passion for music. Throughout the 1960s, Arline spent several years sharing her expertise and knowledge teaching piano, organ and voice to students in her home. An excellent mentor with patience and dedication, countless of her students pursued successful professions as musicians or music educators.

Always keen for higher learning, Arline acquired her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education in the 1970s, followed by becoming a kindergarten teacher at the Heber Springs Elementary School. Arline taught public school kindergarten until 1984, after leaving to pursue a fulltime writing career.

Arline’s favorite place to visit was Branson, Missouri. She has numerous articles to her credit about the entertainment and attractions of Branson and has written about many notable performers including Dolly Parton, Tony Orlando, Kenny Rogers, Yakov Smirnoff, Lee Greenwood, Brenda Lee, the Mandrell sisters, Shoji Tabuchi (who became a good friend), and Andy Williams –  to name a few.

Writing and traveling aside, Arline was very active in her community, dedicating her time as a charter member of the Athena Club in Heber Springs, a member of the Ozarks Writers League, a member of the choir at the First Baptist Church, as well as a member of the Strings and Things Dulcimer group.

 Aside from her first husband, James Paul, and parents, Arline was preceded in death by her son, Tim, and her in-laws, Truman and Polly Chandler. In addition to her husband, Lee, she is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Debbie and Greg Robus of Heber Springs; daughter and son-in-law Suzanne and Mike Linn, of Heber Springs; grand-daughter and her husband, Jasmine and Jamison Gary, of Heber Springs and their three children – Timothy, Zola and Nathan Gary of Heber Springs; step-daughter Glynne Marie Smith-Greene of Baltimore, Maryland, and her children Reuben, Kathryn, Denise and Eli; step-daughter Janet Daily and her husband Craig, of Lebanon, Tennessee, and their daughters Kelsey and Sara; step-daughter Suzanne Wilson and her fiancé Ben Moyer of Olive Branch, Mississippi, and her sons John, Brandon, and Tristan; step-son Eric Smith of Hernando, Mississippi, and his sons, Gowyn and Hagyn; four step-great-grandchildren; one sister, Diane Williams, of Fayetteville, Arkansas; two nephews, Brent Warren of Farmington, Arkansas, and Byron Warren of Gravette, Arkansas; and many other dear relatives and friends.
Memorials may be made to the Cleburne County Historical Society, the Cleburne County Library, Cleburne County Hospice, or the charity of your choice.

Steve Fennell