The family requests that no flowers be sent. They would prefer balloons, stuffed animals, or children’s books. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Louis Children’s Hospital by clicking on the link below, or donations may be made at the funeral home.
River’s family wants to celebrate his total healing and they request that no one wear black. Please wear bright colors.
River Allen Arnall was born March 18, 2024, at Cox South Medical Center in Springfield, Missouri. He spent much of his life at St. Louis Children’s Hospital Pediatric ICU where his entire family was blessed and ministered to with the highest quality care they could ask for. At his home in Hartville, Missouri, at 7 months and 12 days of age, River passed peacefully while in his momma’s arms to be embraced by Jesus on October 30, 2024.
Though his time with us was short, his presence touched many lives, and he was deeply loved by family and friends. River attended many baseball games with his momma and mimi, where he became the adopted mascot for his uncle Hunter’s baseball team. His cousins, Hadlee and Rylee, enjoyed frequent visits and wonderful snuggles. Mimi spent time rocking and reading to him, and River often responded to Papa Joe’s serenades from the rocking chair. His momma, devoted to him, rarely left his side during his lengthy hospital stay and during the past few months of his time at home. Those having the opportunity to hold him were blessed by an undeniable sense of pure joy and peace.
Despite hardship from early in his life, River brought joy to his entire family. He changed their lives as they witnessed God’s love and intervention throughout his difficult journey. Even though they didn’t receive the outcome they had hoped for, prayers were answered, and God’s presence was evident. River was truly a gift from God, created for a purpose only he could fulfill. In his short time on earth, River fulfilled his purpose of bringing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control to his family and community (Galatians 5:22-23). Through River, God has encouraged his family to live out the fruits of the spirit, to witness and bring the light of Jesus to this world. River has achieved perfect and total healing and is now living eternity in the arms of Jesus, but the greatest gift he left us with is the ache for our eternal home of which we all long for.
He was preceded in death by his great-grandparents, Ike and Judy Arnall, and his special great-aunt, Patricia Ivy, who was able to spend time with him in the hospital in St. Louis before her passing.
River is survived by his mother, Sydney Arnall, his grandparents, Jody ”Papa Joe” and Lana “Mimi” Arnall, his aunt and uncle, Taylour Emery and her husband, Taylor, his uncle, Hunter Arnall, two cousins, Hadlee and Rylee Emery, his great-grandparents, Jim “Poppy” and Sally “Grammy” Culver, cousin Alycia Evans, his home-health nurse Tiffany McKee, friend, Justin Woodward, many great-uncles, great-aunts, cousins, extended family, and a wonderful caring community of friends who will miss him dearly.
