Ollie Renee Arnold
Ollie Renee’ Washington Arnold was born on January 8, 1964 in Oakland, California to Brenda J. Hines and the late Ralph H. Washington. Ollie was a 19 year resident of Hayward where she established a strong sense of community and service to all of its residents.
At an early age, Ollie accepted Christ as her personal Savior. She was an outstanding faithful member of her Grandfather’s church, Hines Memorial Church in Oakland.
Ollie, as a child of the sixties from 1968 was raised by a blended family in the village of the East Bay. Her favorite colors were pink, lavender and red. Ollie attended St. David’s Elementary School, Richmond; San Domenico School, San Anselmo; and Holy Names High School, Oakland. During her early education she made many friends and several are still friends today. Her warm heart, beautiful smile and infectious laugh endeared her to all that crossed her path.
Ollie in 1982 followed her passions to Cal State University, Long Beach. Ollie also attended St. Mary’s College for its paralegal program. On a school break in 1985, she came home to Oakland and met the man that would be the love of her life, Louis H. Arnold. From their union they raised a family with the births of Louis Arnold Jr., Renee Christine and Rachel Alexandria. Ollie was an attentive, doting, Mom. She attended all of their school events, football games, gymnastics, and karate classes. Ollie taught all of her children the power of love, faith, laughter and family by example and by leaving daily journals of her life experiences. She enjoyed family events and welcomed everyone. She was always there to listen, comfort, and share whatever was needed. Ollie also loved to sing and do her “Happy Dance”.
Ollie always wanted to serve and give of herself. She was employed for 15 years with Eden Information and Referral in Hayward, where she served as the Housing Outreach Coordinator. For Ollie, Eden I&R was not a job, but a calling. She loved working tirelessly always taking care of others. In addition, Ollie served with many organizations: The American Red Cross, EMDPC, and Alameda County Emergency Volunteer Centers. VOAD’s Alameda County Emergency Managers Association, Alameda County Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC), Oakland Housing Authority, Tri-Valley Housing Scholarship Program, and Hayward Nonprofit Alliance.
Ollie enjoyed being a facilitator, teacher, and a panelist in various housing and disaster training and discussion workshops. She spoke at various workshops and coordinated Affordable Housing Week with the Oakland Housing Authority. Ollie often advocated at the State Capitol for many causes. With Red Cross, Ollie volunteered to go into disaster areas: Virginia, New Jersey, and San Diego. Throughout her career, she received many public and private accolades for these commitments and dedication.
We will all remember and admire her tenacity and ability to make any situation better. We will remember her special baby, Wiley, the family dog.
Ollie is survived by her husband, Louis H. Arnold; her son, Louis Arnold Jr.; her daughters, Renee Christine and Rachel Alexandria; her mother Brenda J. Hines and Family; sister, Lola Hines and Family; her step-mother, Freddie Goins; her sister, Yvette C. Nall and brother-in-law, Erich C. Nall and their daughters; bonus Mom, Dyanne Hammerquist; father-in-law, Louis C. Arnold; her sister-in-law, Sibyl D. Arnold; Barbara Brigham and Family; aunt Cherrilynne Washington Thomas and Family; Roz Tavaras and Family; Jeanette Mills, Brandon Mills, Jeremy Mills and Family; Paulette Bartlett and Family; Pastor Geraldine Hines and Family; Sharon Counts and Family; Gisele and Bruce Holman and Family, dozens of California and Louisiana aunts, uncles, and cousins.