Arthur Arnold Yearwood entered rest on January 16, 2017 in Columbia, South Carolina. He was born on June 21, 1933 to the late Lela Blades and Arthur Aubrey Yearwood in La Boca, Canal Zone, Panama. He attended La Boca High school where he met and eventually married the true love of his life, Joycelyn Griffith. Together, they raised eight wonderful children. This was the origin of his favorite saying, “I am the richest man on earth!”

He joined the United States Army for practical reasons and discovered that he loved to travel the world and meet new and interesting people, thus began a distinguished 30-year career. From Germany to Japan and all places in between, Arthur never went a place he did not enjoy and appreciate the culture, teaching his children to do the same. He was a Vietnam War veteran, honorably serving his country. By the end of his service, he was recipient of many medals, including Meritorious Service, and had achieved the rank of Sergeant Major. After military retirement, he continued to work as a Civil Servant and as a security guard until the age of 70.

Arthur always greeted everyone with a smile. No one was left a stranger in his presence. He loved to work creatively with his hands, whether it was building wooden furniture, sewing, or repairing automobiles, he continuously stayed active. In 2006, he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour. He was well-respected in the community and Body of Christ. Arthur was a mentor to many of the younger generation.

He is predeceased by three of his four siblings: Inez White, Conrad Brewster and Margiana Gordon.

He is survived by his children: Hermel Gordon (Brenda) of Fayetteville, North Carolina, Judith Jenkins of Newport News, Virginia, Debra Yearwood of Brooklyn, New York, Julieta Yearwood of Columbia, South Carolina, Margarita Bibbins (Albert) of Navarre, Florida,  Juliana Horne (Wayne) of Bellevue, Nebraska, Arthur Aubrey Yearwood (Judy) of El Paso, Texas and Natacha Yearwood of Brooklyn, New York; stepdaughter, Angelique Johnson of Mobile, Alabama; seventeen grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren; one remaining sister Christine Hinds. He is also survived by his cousins: Silvia Reid, Sandra Turnbull, Clemente Ifill and Roberto Ifill; and his nieces and nephews: Carla, Lisa, Rogelio, Carlton, Mario, Antonio, George, Gregory, Guillermo, Sharon, Jose, Danilo, Marva, Antonio, David, Glen Marie, Sabrina and Sonia. Also forever cherishing Arthur’s memory across the United States and Panama are longtime high school friends: Clifton “Tacho” Hazelwood, Horace Stevenson, James Edgehill, Charles Sims and Naomi Alleyne.