Arlene Ringener

Arlene was the oldest girl in a large family. Born November 23, 1936, in Lamesa, Texas to Joseph Nelson and Clara Lee (Beasley) Merritt. Arlene had one older brother, Joe Davis, and six younger siblings, Marilyn, Jim, Elizabeth, Sandra, Sherry, and Robert. Arlene was an incredible musician. She began playing the piano “by ear” as a young child and continued throughout her life. At sixteen, Arlene played with a band on the radio. She loved her family immensely and could think of nothing better than going to a family reunion. Someone would always find an instrument and the music and stories would flow.

She was a woman who loved her Lord and loved to sing in the choir. Arlene was an avid golfer, an accomplished artist, meticulous quilter, honest merchant, tremendous friend, and a woman who loved a clean house. She always had a smile on her face and just wanted to spend a minute or two with you if you had the time. 

Arlene lost her father at the age of eleven and learned how to help care for her younger siblings. At seventeen, she married Roland Mullins in her senior year of high school. During their marriage they had three children, Rolynn and twins, Kelby and Kelly. 

After moving to Lubbock, Texas she met and married Jack Richards. They had two children, Jackie Don and Lisa. Jack preceded her in death in 1982. Arlene stayed a widow for ten years. 

During those years she owned and operated Plains Beauty Supply, which she later moved to Rotan. She taught all her children the value of a dollar, the value of time, but most of all she taught them the value of themselves. She showed each of them their true worth by pouring her love into them. 

 On March 7, 1992, she and Don Ringener married in Lubbock, Texas. They were happily married for 32 years. Once Don retired from the City of Lubbock, they moved to Rotan, Texas. She and Don quickly found their church home at the First Baptist Church. There they were able to worship and make lifelong friends. Many rounds of golf were happily played on the local golf course. When not golfing or quilting, Arlene could be found on the sideline of a sporting event cheering on a grandchild. Always happy to see them compete and grow. She moved into the Heritage House on the Brazos in 2017. There she remained until her passing. 

She was welcomed to heaven by her Lord and Savior on January 29, 2025. 

Janetha Arlene Merritt Ringener is preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Nelson and Clara Lee (Beasley) Merritt; brothers: Joe Davis, Jim, and Robert Merritt; sisters: Elizabeth Attebury and Sherry Carroll; husband: Jack Richards, and son, Jackie Don Richards. She is survived by husband Donald H. Ringener of Rotan, sisters Marilyn Merritt of Kuna, Idaho and Sandra (Ron) Rodgers of Kemp, Texas, children Rolynn (Joe) Rose of Lubbock, Kelby (Diana) Mullins of Rowlett, Kelly (Larry) Smith of Rotan, Lisa (Mark) Rosseisen of Cedar Park, Ted (Pamela) Ringener of Hohenfels, Germany and Sharon (John) Drain of Midlothian.

 Arlene is also survived by grandchildren Gareth (Samantha) Pipes, Allison (Clayton) Swan, JT (Allison) Rose, Ben (Leslie) Rose, Dan (Taylor) Rose, Whitney Colm, Hailey (Kyle) Bickham, Morgan Rosseisen, Mason Rosseisen, Marley Rosseisen, Sean Drain, Jordan Drain, James Ringener, and Cory Ringener as well as 11 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and many cousins, friends and other loved ones. 

Special thanks for the tremendous care from the team at Fisher County Hospital and the Heritage House on the Brazos staff for the wonderful years of love and care they have given Arlene. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Angel Care of Rotan or the Heritage House on the Brazos Activity Fund or a charitable organization of your choice.