On April 10, 2020 Chizuko Arendall Gilmore, of Hope Mills, NC, was called home to walk with our Lord and Savior.

Chizuko was born on July 7, 1955 in Yokohama, Japan to parents George Lee Arendall and Chieko Nakamura Arendall.  She attended school in California and also studied to become a beautician. In 1982 she moved to Wahiawa, HI. On the 4th of September in 1982 Chizuko then married the love of her life, James Earl Gilmore. They eventually relocated to Hope Mills, NC and continued to build their life together amongst family and friends. The two of them shared an incredible love and talent for the art of Bonsai.

Chizuko was a very strong, talented and driven woman who spent many years working in management for Service Merchandise followed by management for Toys R Us.  She enjoyed painting, sewing and gardening. Later, after the loss of her dear husband, she became a member of Highland Baptist Church and was baptized in 2016. Chizuko was highly motivated to serve in any way she could at the church, she contributed by sewing with the ladies quilting group. Chizuko's greatest joy was found working with the Children's Ministry. Chizuko was preceded in death by her husband James Earl Gilmore also of Hope Mills, NC; her parents George Lee and Chieko Nakamura Arendall of Garden Grove, CA; grandson Tristin Daniel Wilson of Autryville, NC; and grandson Travis Ronald Backs of Seneca Falls, NY.

Chizuko is survived by her 5 children: Brian (Maganda) Backs of Stedman, NC; Kristel Cho Earl of Fayetteville, AR; Andrea (Daniel) Wilson of Stedman, NC; Ashley of NY; and JC (Christina) Gilmore of Hope Mills, NC. She is also survived by fifteen grandchildren: Amanda, Cody, Charlotte, Abigail, Megan, Jessica, Dylan, Kylee, Julia, Kaitlyn, Chloe, Evan, Lana, Emrie, and Hailey; as well as two great-grandchildren: Trystan and McKenna.

A memorial service in her honor will be held at a later date in which all will be welcome to attend and celebrate Chizuko's life.  In lieu of flowers, due to Chizuko's passion for the children and her church, the family requests any donations be made in her memory to Highland Baptist Church – Children's Playground Fund at 4456 Legion Rd, Hope Mills, NC 28348