Carol Arnspiger

Durango resident, Carol Lee (Heddleston) Arnspiger died on Saturday, November 9, 2013 at the Valley Inn Nursing Home in Mancos, Colo. after suffering a stroke in June. She was 84 years old. Carol was born in Eureka, W. Va., on January 12, 1929 to James P. and Grace Audrey (Dilworth) Heddleston. When she was 5 years old, her family moved to a farm in the area. She graduated from St. Mary's W.V. High School in 1946. In the early 1950's, she moved to Tulia, Tex. where she met and married Charles Ellsworth Arnspiger on November 23, 1953. They then moved to Amarillo, Tex , where their daughter, Krista, was born. While in Amarillo, Carol was employed as a math teacher's aide at an elementary school, was Assistant Manager of a retail store and a Manager of a men's department at Dillard's. Carol and Charles lived in Amarillo for 34 years. Upon their retirement, they moved to Durango, Colo. in 1990 to be near their daughter, Krista Vandiver and her family. Carol and Charles joined the First United Methodist Church of Durango in 1990 and were members of the church until their deaths. Carol loved gardening, crossword puzzles and reading and pursued all of these passions until her stroke left her unable to do so. Carol was predeceased by her parents, two brothers; James (Bill) Heddleston and Thomas Heddleston and two sisters; Martha Daniel and Virginia Vinson. She was also preceded in death in 2012 by Charles, her loving husband of 59 years. Carol is survived by her daughter; Krista Vandiver and son-in-law, Jerry Vandiver both of Durango, Colo., grandchildren; Jeremy Vandiver and Melissa Vandiver, both of Golden, Colo., sister; Evelyn Neely of Belmont, W. Va., and numerous nieces and nephews. Cremation has occurred. A private family memorial will be held in the spring, scattering her ashes in Durango and West Virginia. Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Durango, 2917 Aspen Drive, Durango, Colo. 81301.