Arelva May Brynds' Obituary
Arelva May Brynds, 87 of Cherokee, KS went to be with our lord and savior, February 4, 2026 at Mercy Hospital in Pittsburg, KS.
She was born January 23, 1939 in Pittsburg, the daughter of Everett Edgar and Alice Marie (Newport) Melton.
Arelva graduated from Crawford County high school in 1957.
She married Frank Simpson in 1958 and later divorced. Together they had five children: Christopher Simpson (deceased), Karen (Randy) Almond of Chanute, KS, Brenda (Dan) Younger of Kansas City, MO, Jeffery Simpson of Cherokee, Michelle (John) Rion of Scammon, KS.
On June 3, 1988, Arelva married Ted J. Brynds, Sr. in Pittsburg; Ted survives her of the home in Cherokee.
Arelva devoted her life to caring for her family and created a home marked by love, hospitality and faithfulness. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, whose daily work, often unseen, shaped the lives of those she loved most. Her home was a place of warm meals, open doors, prayer, laughter and love. She also found joy in the fellowship she had with her church family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a son Chris Simpson, 3 sisters: Norvella Boccia, April Richardson Farruggia and Rosalie Monroe.
She is survived by her brother James (Gertrude) Melton; along with 15 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.
She will be remembered for her faith, warm hugs, smile and unwavering love. Her legacy lives on in the lives of her family and those she touched.
Funeral services will be 11am, Saturday, February 14, 2026 at the Scammon Holiness Mission. Family will receive friends Saturday at the church from 9:30am until service time. Burial will follow in the Cherokee City Cemetery at 102 East 515 Avenue, Cherokee, KS 66724. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to her church family, Scammon Holiness Mission, 1st Street and N. 6th Ave., Scammon, KS 66773. Condolences may be left at https://www.bathnaylor.com. Services and arrangements are under the direction of the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home.
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