Arvetta Prewitt

Arvetta Karen Gumby Prewitt was born on December 13, 1953 in San Angelo, Texas to her father Harry Lester Gumby and mother Doris Jean Carroll Gumby. She was the youngest of four children born to this family.

Arvetta dedicated her life to Christ at an early age as she and her family were members of several churches over the years. They included Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church, Second Baptist Church, New Birth Christian Center, and finally Macedonia Baptist Church of Kansas City where she was a loyal and involved member up until the time of her passing.

As the daughter of a Chief Master Sergeant in the United States Air Force, Arvetta would live in a myriad of places throughout her early life. She completed her primary schooling in places like Texas, Hawaii, and Belton, MO before her family established roots in Kansas City, MO. As a natural songstress and people person it's no coincidence that Arvetta was a member of her high school's vocal choir and Pep Club. She would graduate from her alma mater, Paseo Academy of Fine & Performing Arts, in 1971.

After high school, Arvetta went on to pursue a post-secondary degree at The University of Kansas (Rock Chalk Jayhawk!) in Lawrence, KS. During her time at KU, she was heavily involved with campus leadership and social activities. They included the Black Student Union, the Committee for Residence Hall, and the Entertainment Committee for KU. In the Spring of 1974, by way of the Delta Chapter, she pledged and became a member of the illustrious Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated; the first Greek-lettered organization for college-educated, Black women, founded in 1908 at Howard University (Washington D.C.). On May 24, 1976, Arvetta completed her undergraduate journey and received her Bachelor's degree in General Studies, Sociology, Speech Communications and Human Relations with an emphasis in Counseling.

After college, Arvetta moved back to Kansas City, MO and began her career first as a Juvenile Courts Counselor. Eventually, she went on to work and retire as a claims specialist, auditor, and supervisor. She worked with two major companies over the course of her career; Blue Cross & Blue Shield (10 years) and Family Health Partners through Children's Mercy Hospital (15 years). Community involvement, service, and Christ were huge parts of Arvetta' s life and she demonstrated this through her dedication to her International Prayer Group, as a member of The National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, The University of Kansas Alumni Association, the KU Black Alumni Network, and her high school alma mater Paseo Academy Alumni Association.

On June 15, 1991 Arvetta became the mother to a beautiful baby boy named Marqus Bibbs. A few years later she met Thomas Andrew Prewitt and on October 3, 1998 the two married at Ebenezer AME Church of Kansas City, MO. Though the two never had any biological children of their own, Arvetta welcomed and accepted her stepchildren with open and loving arms ensuring that they built their own unique relationships.

She was known and loved by many and some of the compliments that she's received the most has been for her bright spirit and quick-witted humor, her depth of wisdom, selflessness, and abundance of love that made all feel important; even those who she had never met in person.

Arvetta is preceded in death by her parents Harry L. and Doris Gumby, her older brother Harry B. Gumby, her older sister Rosalind Ann Gumby Bauchum, and best friend Brita Emerson. She leaves behind to cherish her memory, her husband of 25 years Thomas A. Prewitt, her son Marqus (Tiara) Bibbs, children-in-law Darren (Darrica) Tyler Sr., Kameia Tyler, Rachel Prewitt and Rashaad Davis. Grandchildren Rarey and Kaizyn Bibbs, Darren Qr.) and Dalyn Tyler, Ana'jia Davis, and Brandon Fraizer, her eldest sister Brenda (Bobby) Gines, sister-in­law Juliet Gumby, brother-in-law James Bauchum III, uncle William Gumby, and aunt Ella Mae Carroll.