Verna Lea Ellen Arnold

Verna Lea Ellen Arnold - mother, aunt, grandmother, Christian, educator, administrator, entrepreneur, culinary expert, advocate, mentor,…SERVANT LEADER. Verna (affectionately known to her family as - Ellen and/or El) was born on July 8, 1951 to the late Lorraine Ball-Arnold and Bill Arnold. While in Shadyside Hospital, the Lord called her home on Monday, January 3, 2022. Verna knew where her eternal home was, due to her active membership at Rodman Street Missionary Baptist Church and her childhood acceptance of Christ at St. John the Evangelist Baptist Church in Hazelwood, PA. Verna graduated from Gladstone High School in Hazelwood. After high school she attended Point Park University where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Education and then her Master’s degree at the University of Pittsburgh. During her time at the University of Pittsburgh, Verna joined the Delta Sigma Theta sorority. She continued her educational experience by obtaining a Principal certification from IUP and completing doctoral coursework. Verna inspired and educated generations of families through the Pittsburgh Public School system. She began her career teaching in early childhood and then elementary science. After teaching for many years at Fort Pitt Elementary School she became the assistant principal at Allegheny Traditional Academy. After serving as an assistant principal she returned home to Fort Pitt Elementary School, finishing her career as the principal. After retiring, she became a consultant for Pearson and continued to impact the academic achievement of our youth. Education was not Verna’s only passion, she LOVED to travel and cook! Verna had dreams of being an ambassador and that she did through her love of travel, domestically and abroad. Her magnetic personality was open, warm, and welcoming; no one that she encountered was a stranger. No matter the neighborhood, state, or country that she traveled, her curious mind was absorbing the culture and the cuisine. Through her love of family, travel and all things culinary came her idea to open her most recent venture - Arnold’s Tea. Where food was love and everyone was family. Her passion and tireless efforts established the beacon for community engagement and fellowship at her tea shop on the vibrant North Side. Many patrons and community leaders spoke openly and honestly about the wonderful space that Arnold’s Tea provided the community. You could meet everyone from a tv personality to a former student at her establishment. Customers travelled far and wide to sit at her tables and be loved in the form of her thoughtfully cultivated food offerings and tea. Through her business venture she continued to impact youth - through employing, mentoring, encouraging and managing a number of youth that came to her via recommendation from community members or just stopping in. She had a heart to help and she put it into action. In Verna’s final moments, she continued to put others' needs before her own. She communicated with family and advocated for herself that she was ready to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She recited her favorite scripture Psalm 23 before her transition, assuring her family that - thou had preparest a table for her… Verna leaves to cherish her memory her beloved and devoted daughter - Brittany Lorraine Arnold; her nephew that was more like a son - J Wellington Arnold; grandchildren - Luke Ellington Laurie-Arnold and Leia Lorraine Arnold; God-Daughter - Kwellin Carter; close friend Beverly Downing; and a host of surrogate children, family and close friends. She was preceded in death by her mother Lorraine Arnold (2016) and her sister Vallarie Greta Arnold (1998).