VanEster "Van" Arnold Hales, 55, of Kenly, North Carolina, passed away Saturday, November 15, 2025, at ECU Health Hospital in Greenville, North Carolina.

Van was born August 28, 1970, in Austin, Texas, to Ora Lee and Ovan Arnold. She accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior and was baptized at an early age.

She graduated from Lyndon B. Johnson High School in Austin and spent the earlier part of her career at Dell Computers, where she met the love of her life, Christopher "Chris" Keith Hales who she married in May 2006. Together, they built a beautiful life and family.

Van and Chris later transferred with Dell to Smyrna, Tennessee, continuing their careers before relocating to Chris's hometown of Kenly, North Carolina. It was in Kenly that Van discovered her true calling - teaching and caring for students, pouring her heart into her work and touching countless lives with her kindness, patience and dedication. Her students adored her and she made a lasting impact on everyone she taught.

In addition to caring for her students, Van enjoyed holidays and spending time with family. She cherished her three children, nieces and nephews and took great joy in seeing them flourish and grow into the adults they are today. She especially cherished her time with grandson, Austin Fowler who affectionately referred to Van as ViVi. Van loved to cook and enjoyed laughing and making great memories. She was a selfless, caring and thoughtful person whose warmth and generosity will never be forgotten.

Van was preceded in death by her father, Ovan Arnold; sister, Jacqueline "Niecy" Arnold; and daughter, Keyauna Hales.

Left to cherish her memory are her mother, Ora Lee Arnold; husband, Christopher "Chris" Keith Hales; children, Porshauna Arnold (Mariah) and Darian Fowler (Charmaine); grandson, Austin Fowler; siblings, Ronda, Alice and Ovan (Jr.) Arnold; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, colleagues and friends.

Van's legacy of love and kindness will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

A viewing will be held on November 20th, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm, at Parrish Funeral Home in Selma, NC. Funeral services and burial will be held in Austin, Texas at a later date.