ARLINGTON - Verna Mae Prickett, 67, died Dec. 19, 2010, at her home. She was born Dec. 2, 1943, in Dallas, Texas, the daughter of Walter Stapleton (Jack) and Verna Canal Shipper Price. In 1950 the family moved to Tulsa, Okla. She graduated from Will Rogers High School in 1962. On Feb. 13, 1964, she married Jim Prickett in Miami, Okla., and moved to Arlington, Kan., to begin life in "small town" USA. She loved the town and remained in the home built by her husband and father-in-law until her death. Jim died Sept. 23, 2006.
She was a member of United Methodist Church in Arlington and served on many committees the past 46 years. She taught Sunday school for many years, was a member of the UMW Night Circle and taught a class at FaithWeavers on Wednesday evenings. She was a driver for Meals on Wheels for 10 years. Verna was also one of the "Tea Ladies" in Arlington, a group which spent many late hours planning Victorian teas. All of the proceeds from the teas were donated to various charitable organizations.

She was an Assistant Trust Officer at First National Bank of Hutchinson, and had previously worked at First Federal Savings and Loan Assn., Gilliland & Hayes and Railroad Savings Bank. She loved her work and her co-workers.

She is survived by two daughters, Kelly Schmidt and husband Brad, Arlington, Kan., Kimberly White and husband Ron, Highlands Ranch, Colo.; a sister, LaVon Dodson and husband Don, Ft. Smith, Ark.; brother-in-law, Gordon Armstrong, Oklahoma City, Okla.; eight grandchildren, Jeramie Schmidt, Chadd Schmidt and fiancée Jessica, Arlington, Kan., Kecia Schmidt, Brooklyn and Madison Bernard, Luke and Meredith Schwind and Chloe White, all of Highlands Ranch, Colo.; two step-grandchildren, Jordan White and Alex White; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, stepfather, Ross Pearson, mother-in-law and father-in-law, Muriel and Harvey Prickett, two sisters, Sue Boone and Bonnie Fisher, and a sister-in-law, Janis Armstrong.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010, at Arlington United Methodist Church, Arlington, with Pastor Ken Keeling presiding. Friends may call 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson, with family to receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Burial will be in Arlington Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Arlington United Methodist Church or Hospice of Reno County, in care of the mortuary. Please visit www.elliottmortuary.com to leave a personal message for Verna's family.