Tilda Arnette: Myrtle Beach

    Tilda Arnette of Myrtle Beach passed away on Saturday, April 11. She was 86.
    She was born in Chadbourn in 1928, one of five children of Evander Charles and Geneva Huggins Arnette. She grew up on a tobacco farm, loved riding her horse, Star, and dancing with many young men at Ocean Drive Beach.
    Tilda graduated from Wake Forest University and won a diamond ring, from her mother, on a bet that she wouldn’t graduate.
     Tilda was the loving mother of Neva Loftis of Chapin and Tina Kivilaan of Brentwood, Tennessee. She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Doyle Loftis and Andy Kivilaan. Her four grandchildren, who affectionately called her “Buddy”, were her “reason to live”. Her most recent joy was a great grandson whom she adored.
     Tilda taught school in Myrtle Beach, Bolivia, Columbia, North Myrtle Beach and Aynor. Her love of learning and dedication to her students was apparent for all who knew her. Even her children and grandchildren were not immune to “spontaneous grammar lessons” and were required to “thank her”, for the learning experience.
    Tilda’s students, who now range from early 40’s to mid 70’s, have continued to invite her to birthday lunches and Christmas parties. Her students remembered her as a “jewelry fanatic” with “different types of jewelry around her neck, arms, wrists, legs, waist, feet, etc.” and a “world traveler that often chaperoned high school students to many foreign countries.”
     After retirement, Tilda loved Lifetime movies, and thoroughly relished any movie with John Wayne or Matthew McConaughey. She cherished her caregivers and we are so thankful for their tender loving care.
    Tilda’s true legacy is her lifelong focus on family. She started the Arnette family reunions in the early 1970’s and doggedly planned bi-annual reunions that our family has come to treasure. She always emphasized that family comes first, and unconditional love is the glue that holds a family together throughout the decades.
     A memorial service was held at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, April 14, at Hardwick Memorial Chapel with Reverend Dr. Tim Osment officiating.
    Committal services were private.
    A guest register and obituary is available here.