Obituary for Arthur Henry Kreienbaum
Arthur Henry Kreienbaum, Jr. passed away July 25, 2025. He was born March 9, 1930, the son of Arthur Henry Kreienbaum, Sr. and Katherine Rainey Kreienbaum of Emporia, Virginia. Sadly, his father died suddenly when Arthur was 14 years old, but he remained a devoted son to his mother until her death in 1988.
He graduated from Emporia High School in 1948, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in 1952 with a degree in Business Administration, and was a member of the Corps of Cadets. He served in the United States Army, stationed in Hawaii. He graduated Officers Candidate School in Fort Benning, Ga.
Arthur returned home to Emporia and established Kreienbaum and Slate Insurance Agency with his lifelong friend and business partner, George Wyche Slate. They remained in business together until his retirement in 2000.
He met Anna Harper Murphrey on a blind date after she moved to Emporia to teach school. They married February 27, 1960.
Arthur loved his community and was active in many organizations. He joined The Emporia Rotary Club in 1958 and had perfect attendance for over 65 years. If he missed a meeting in Emporia, he always made it up by visiting another Rotary Club meeting. He served on the Emporia Planning and Zoning board, was active in Emporia Chamber of Commerce and served on the board of directors of several local banks through the years. He was a lifelong member of Main Street United Methodist Church where he served faithfully on the Board of Trustees, Finance committee, and United Methodist Men. He enjoyed attending Sunday School and the friendships formed with his church family. He was a member of the Emporia Country Club and enjoyed playing tennis and golf. He valued his coffee buddies. During his business career and until just a few weeks before his death, Arthur and friends met for coffee each morning. He often said it was the fellowship and stories shared that he enjoyed more than the coffee.
Over the years, Arthur found joy in working in his yard, planting and tending to his fruit trees, gathering pecans and sharing them with others. He enjoyed traveling with Anna and friends. He always said wherever they went, Anna always met people easily and plans were instantly made for them to have fun. He loved spending time in Southern Shores, NC, Virginia Beach, Va, and in recent years, Beaufort, NC with his children, grandchildren and friends. Arthur was notoriously frugal with himself but gracious with others. He sent the most perfect handmade birthday cards to his children on their birthdays, and they will cherish those memories.
Arthur was predeceased by Anna, his loving wife of 64 years, and his sister, Jean Kreienbaum Zollman. He is survived by his three children, Alice Stancell Kreienbaum Belmonte and husband, Nick of Emporia, Rebecca Rainey Kreienbaum O’Connor and husband, Charles of Greenville, NC and Arthur Henry Kreienbaum, III “Tony” and wife Katy of Charlottesville, Va; his grandchildren, Roy Nicholas Belmonte, Jr and wife Kate, Charles Anthony Belmonte and fiancé, Elizabeth, Arthur Henry Kreienbaum IV, Anna Rachels Kreienbaum, Charles Stuart O’Connor, Jr, and his great granddaughters, Caroline Margaret Belmonte, Elizabeth Frances Belmonte and Charlotte Grace Belmonte.
Funeral services will be held Thursday July 31, 2025 at Main Street United Methodist Church, Emporia, Virginia at 11:00 am. Burial will follow at Emporia Cemetery on Brunswick Avenue.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Main Street United Methodist Church, Emporia, Va.
Online condolences may be made at www.echolsfuneralhome.com
To plant a tree in memory of Arthur Henry Kreienbaum, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Service
Thursday
31
Jul
11:00 AM
Main Street United Methodist Church
500 South Main Street
Emporia, VA 23847
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