Robyn E Arnold Obituary (1963 - 2022)

Robyn Elizabeth Arnold, age 59, passed away peacefully on July 5, 2022, in Birmingham, AL. Robyn was born on August 22, 1963, in Mt. Vernon, Kentucky, to Jimmy & Hilda Arnold. She spent her childhood in Kentucky, singing, thinking, and exploring the foothills of the Appalachian mountains. She was baptized as an adult at Easter Vigil service at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Birmingham, AL, on April 12, 1998. Robyn's life was dedicated to selflessly serving others and improving the world around her. Even as a child, she championed causes she believed in, convincing her parents to establish a compost pile in the backyard, and later saving her favorite cow, Candy, from certain death by adopting her as a pet. As a priest, she focused on the nurture and care of the poor and marginalized, and the celebration of the Sacraments. She was a pastor and spiritual guide to many. Service to others was a constant theme in Robyn’s life as she always put the needs and wants of others above her own. Robyn was a lifelong learner who began her scientific career focused on environmental studies at Appalachia Science in the Public Interest (ASPI) in the Daniel Boone National Forest. She attended undergrad at Cumberland College in Williamsburg, KY, and obtained her master's degree from Mississippi State (1997) in Physiology. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Alabama, Birmingham Department of Physiology (2002). While she was in Birmingham, she began faithfully attending an Episcopal church, St. Andrews, where she fell in love with the High Church liturgy and Celebration of Eucharist. She loved teaching children in Sunday School and was part of establishing (and chairing) the first Diocesan Environmental Commission in Alabama. Robyn earned her Masters of Divinity at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific in 2008. Even while pursuing her religious studies, Robyn continued her scientific work at UC Berkeley by working in the Children's Environmental Health Laboratory as a postdoctoral fellow. She was ordained by Bishop Parsley in 2008, and then served several years as an Associate Priest at the Church of the Advent of Christ the King in San Francisco, CA, and the Diocese of California. Mother Robyn was called to return to Birmingham as Rector to Grace Episcopal Church, Woodlawn, in 2012. She delighted in the Anglo-Catholic traditions of providing beautiful, safe, sacred space for High Church liturgy in an urban environment. She worked tirelessly with other community leaders to combat food insecurity and fight for the rights of the homeless, the poor, and anyone marginalized by the world or the Church. She was exceptionally skilled at weaving science, theology, and social justice together seamlessly in her sermons and welcomed questions from any Seeker. She celebrated diversity in all forms, saying, "The world God created is incredibly diverse. We love each other because of our differences, not in spite of them." But most of all, she delighted in celebrating the Eucharist in community. "I feel a sense of homecoming whenever I stand at the Altar or gather in this community. In Christ, I have found the love of family…a sense of place...and an increasing awareness that God is always with me and wherever God is … is home." She continued her scientific work through several advisory boards with local universities until her death. Robyn was preceded in death by her Mom, Hilda Bowling Arnold; Daddy, Jimmy Arnold; brothers, Frank Arnold & Mike Arnold; Mamaw Bertha Arnold; Papaw James Arnold; and Uncle Bill. She is survived by three brothers, Donnie Arnold (May) of Mt. Vernon, KY, Ronnie Arnold (Duina) of Mt. Vernon, and David Arnold of Paducah, KY; sister LeAnn Arnold (John) of Lexington, KY; nephews Louis Arnold of Spring Branch, TX, and Blake Arnold of Lexington, KY; niece Danielle Reams (Mikah) of Mt. Vernon, and great-nephew Robert Reams of Mt. Vernon, and a family of close, loving friends. Special thanks to the UAB PKD clinic and UAB Palliative Care for taking such wonderful care of our beloved Robyn during her journey. Robyn’s Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, July 11th at 11:00 am at Grace Episcopal Church, Woodlawn. For those unable to attend in person, the service will be streamed online at https://gracechurchwoodlawn.org. A private memorial will be held in Rockcastle County, KY at a later date. Should friends desire, donations in Robyn’s memory may be made to: – Appalachia Science In the Public Interest (ASPI) - https://www.appalachia-spi.org – Happily Ever Esther After Farm Sanctuary - https://www.happilyeveresther.ca/ – Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation - https://pkdcure.org/give/ – Grace Episcopal Church, Woodlawn - https://bit.ly/GiveToGraceWoodlawn – GraceWorks - https://graceworksbham.org/donate/