Arden Cooke O'Daniel

Arden Lou Cooke O'Daniel, of Wylie, TX died in Garland, TX at Silver Creek Assisted Living, surrounded by those who cared for, and loved her on Tuesday September 11, 2018. She was 83 years old.

Arden was born on January 12, 1935 in the Canal Zone, Panama. She graduated from Balboa High School, Class of 1952.
Arden started working right out of High School, for the Panama Canal Company, as a clerical administrator, for the Marine Traffic Control Office. Arden had the pleasure of working and living on both sides of the Isthmus of Panama, Canal Zone. Arden retired in 1984, with 32 years Government service, with the Panama Canal Company.

A true Gamboa girl…….The Gamboa water hole, the Gamboa Bridge, the Gamboa movie theater, and the 30 minute commute to and from Gamboa!
Oh! The Canal Zone life style, simple, and laid back, and everyone was your neighbor! Arden's wishes are to go back to Gamboa.
Arden was an avid reader, and loved to dance. She was also a longtime Panama Canal Society member. She thoroughly loved to attend the reunions, the festivities, and enjoyed the friends and classmates that attended.

Arden passed away peacefully, after battling with Alzheimer's and Dementia. However a stroke is what took her life. She will be remembered by her poise, grace, wits, her tactful one liner's, her fashion, the love to read, and her stories of growing up in Panama.

Arden is survived by her children, Luanne Swisher Honea, Wylie, TX, Lisa May Mabry, Panama City Beach, FL, and Garrick Charles Swisher, Arlington, TX; her niece Nicole Forrest, Plano, TX, her nephew Ryland Forrest, Florida; her four grandchildren; Keeley Michelle Walker, Wylie, TX, Danielle Elizabeth Bell, Snohomish WA, Taylor Marie Higgins, Snohomish, WA, and William Robert Eisenhower Avey (aka Ike), Panama City Beach, FL; and her five great-grandchildren, Kaleigh Rae Walker, Olivia Claire Bell, Isla Rose Bell, Amelia Grace Bell, and Aeris Nicole Higgins.

She is preceded in death by her husband, John Wesley O'Daniel, Southport, NC; her sister, Molly Cooke Forrest, Hampton, VA; her parents, Alva and Mable Cooke, Hampton, VA.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, September 28, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at the Charles W. Smith & Sons Funeral Home located at 2925 5th Street, Sachse, Texas 75048 with a catered reception to follow at 1301 Starpoint Lane Wylie, TX.

Reverend Earnest Walt will officiate the ceremony. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Arden's life.

Flowers and condolences can be sent to Charles W. Smith & Sons Funeral Home 2925 5th Street, Sachse, Texas 75048.