Clara Louise Arena

Clara Louise Arena, 77, of Port Arthur, Texas passed away September 16, 2013 at her home with her family by her side. She was born in Lenora, Kansas on December 31, 1935 to the late Kenneth and Clara Elizabeth Olson. Louise was a registered nurse and worked for Lisenby Hospital in Panama City, Florida before moving to Texas. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Nederland where she was the Adult Ladies Sunday School teacher - her mission as a Christian. Her job was her family – kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids.
Funeral services will be held at First Baptist Church of Nederland on Friday, September 20, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. with Rev. Dr. Jason Burden officiating. A gathering of family and friends will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 20, 2013 at the church. Interment will be held at Garden of Memory Cemeteries in Panama City, Florida on Sunday, September 22, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. Funeral services are under the direction of Melancon’s Funeral Home in Nederland, Texas.
Louise was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Michael Arena. She is survived by her daughter, Michelle Askew and husband, Richard of Nederland; sons, Mike Arena and wife, Kathy of Boerne and David Arena of Nederland; grandchildren, Jennifer and Jeremy Balsamo, Christy Zenon, Chris Arena, and Danielle and Eric DeKerlegand; great-grandchildren, Aiden, Sydnee, Kryssa, and Dazja; sister-in-law, Rhonda Olson; numerous nieces and nephews; and long time friend, Bayannah “Ann” Crabtree.