Andrea Marquetta Arnold

Andrea, known to many as “Itty Bitty,” was born on June 2, 1993 in

Rockville, Maryland to Patrice Arnold and Ronald Lucas, Jr.

Although her life may have seemed short to others, Andrea touched so

many hearts in her seventeen years of life. A lover of science, dance

and family, Andrea began modeling at age 3,

received a Black Belt in Martial Arts, and was

selected to be a company dancer at Fran’s

Dance Studio. Dedicated to her craft, no

matter what it may have been, Andrea

excelled in whatever she set her mind to –

even overcoming her fear of water and

learning to swim at the Capitol Hill

Natatorium. She was a go-getter and a trend

setter, taking her love of her favorite color

purple and cosmetology to new heights. She

joined Saint Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church

at the age of 13, where she received her

Sacraments of Baptism, Penance, Holy

Eucharist, and Confirmation.

An outstanding student, Andrea

maintained a 3.0 GPA throughout most

of her school career, achieving a 4.125 GPA

during her sophomore year. She was a member

of the Chess Club and the W.E.B. du Bois Honor

Society. Sadly, Andrea was one day away from

completing her junior year at Crossland High

School in Temple Hills, Maryland.

The family of Andrea Marquetta Arnold wishes to thank each and

everyone of you for your expressions of love, acts of kindness, concern,

sympathy and support during our time of bereavement. We will always

cherish your thoughts and prayers. May God continue to bless all of you.

One morning I found you in eternal sleep;

I tried to wake you as I began to weep,

But all my pleas you could not hear;

Oh if I could have only kept you near,

I find it so very hard to believe

That you have gone and I must grieve;

I call out your name -- you answer not,

And I look for you in every familiar spot.

I look at your smiling face in all my photos;

Memories flood my mind as I touch the mementos

From the happy times you and I have had,

But now these bring tears and make me sad;

I should be happy you’re free of pain and sorrow,

And rejoice that you’ll always have tomorrow.

But I miss you so very much my sister dear,

And your voice I’ll always long to hear.

As many of us know, Andrea struggled with a life-long illness. In 2006,

she began dialysis. Despite her challenges, she didn’t focus on her pain

or herself – nor did she complain about her circumstances. Andrea was

wise beyond her years. She always had a positive outlook on life, and

did not hesitate to put us “grown folks” in check when we got out of

line. She was bubbly, cheerful, and upbeat – and, like a moth to a

flame, she attracted a host of loving friends to her side. A natural

practical joker, Andrea would brighten anyone’s day with her natural

sense of humor, polite sarcasm, and uncanny wit.

Andrea was gifted in so many ways, but most of all, she, herself, was a

gift, a joy, and a blessing to all she touched.

Andrea is survived by her loving mother, Patrice Arnold; father Ronald

Lucas, Jr.; her oldest brother Andre Arnold; siblings Kerry Ann Lucas,

Naomi Lucas, Brittany Johnson, and Ronald Long Lucas; Grandparents

Jacqueline Arnold, Nathaniel Arnold, Eva Lucas, and Ronald Lucas, Sr.;

cousins Mariah Lewis, DeLonte May, and Shawn Thomas, Jr.; her closest

friends and “sisters” Kayla Christian (Pookie Bear), Donxavia McCormick,

Mercedes Evans, Jayln Barrett, and Deja Watkins; special friend Marcus

Wynter and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Opening Hymn/Song………………..………………………………………..Precious Lord

Opening Prayer

First Reading…………………………………………………………………….Wisdom 3: 1-9

Responsorial Psalm……………………………………………..Psalm 23: 1-3, 3-4, 5, 6

Second Reading………………………………………………………………..Romans 6: 3-9

Gospel……………………………………………………………………………..John 11: 17-27

Homily

General Intercessions

Commendation

Recessional Hymn/Song…………………………………………………..Amazing Grace

The family will be receiving friends and visitors immediately following

the service in the St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic School Auditorium. All are

welcomed to share reflections and expressions during this time.

Pall Bearers

Family and Friends

Honorary Flower Bearers

Family and Friends

Arrangements by

B.K. Henry Funeral Chapel, Inc.

420 H Street, N.E.

Washington, DC 20002

(202) 544-9655

God made the world with its towering trees

Majestic mountains and restless seas;

Then paused and said, “It needs one more thing…

Someone to laugh and dance and sing;

To walk in the woods and gather flowers;

To commune with nature in quiet hours.”

So God made little girls

With laughing eyes and

bouncing curls;

With joyful hearts and

infectious smiles;

Enchanting ways and

feminine wiles;

And when He’d completed

the task He’d begun,

He was pleased and proud

of the job He’d done;

For the world, when seen

through a little girl’s eyes,

Greatly resembles

Paradise.

Author Unknown