Theta Josephine (Phipps) Arnett, 103, of Farmington, New Mexico, passed away on February 13, 2026.

Theta was born in Smallett, Missouri, to Frank and Annabelle Phipps. Prior to retirement she worked as a nurse and an electroencephalogram technician. She was known for her happy, caring manner as well as her deep faith. She was a member of the Assemblies of God Church.

Her greatest joys came in caring for her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchild. Her daily habit was to faithfully pray for each one.

Theta shared 50 years of marriage with her husband, Sterling A. Arnett. Their years together took them on an exciting journey from Pennsylvania (where he worked for Naval Intelligence during the Second World War), to Missouri, to Colorado, and to New Mexico. Several years after Sterling passed, Theta married Odus Johns.

She is survived by her daughters Jane Jones, Bonnie Cooper (Don), Joan Barrett, and her son Rev. Dr. David Arnett (Kathy); her beloved grandchildren Marc Jones, Jeff Jones, Melissa Cooper, Jonathan Arnett, Joshua Arnett, Jennifer Arnett, Justin Barrett, and Kendra Barrett-Vega; fourteen great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Anna Belle Phipps, her husband Sterling Arnett, her son-in-law John Jones, her twin sister Venita (Phipps) Williams, her sister Lela (Phipps) Bunyard, her brother William Phipps, her husband Odus Johns, her son-in-law Kenneth Barrett, and her granddaughter Michelle (Cooper) Laux.

Theta will be remembered for her dedication to her family, her faith, her humor, and for the courageous and winsome way she faced challenges for 103 years.

Graveside Services will be held Tuesday, February 24 at 1:00 p.m. at Greenlawn Cemetery, 1606 North Dustin Avenue, Farmington, NM 87401.