Arlene Anderson

The truest measure of a child of God is not where they are, but how far they have come.

And few of The Lord’s children have traveled as lengthy - and challenging – a life’s journey as our beloved sister Arlene Anderson.

On Feb. 17 she was stricken a final time, ending her life but not her legacy of perseverance that continues to inspire the next generation. 

Hearing impaired at a young age and visually challenged, Arlene’s life was a series of victories over adversity. She tackled life with a vigor fueled by her never-ending Christian faith and she now stands straight, strong and victorious re-united with the Lord Jesus in his holy heaven.

Despite struggling with her own health issues, she took care of her family over several years, she looked after her mother, Annie and her father, Samuel - a deacon with the Greater Bethlehem Temple Apostolic Church of Cincinnati - until the Lord called them home.  Then, she assisted with looking over her sister, Yovoner as she battled cancer for over a decade.  God gave her the strength to keep moving forward and to do His work.

 Her brother Terry of Herndon, Virginia, recalls Arlene’s fighting spirit, curious mind and generous heart.

“To Arlene, life was never about receiving, only giving. I would ask her before her birthday, was there anything that she wanted or needed? She always replied ‘I want you to be happy,’ and somehow just hearing that from her made it so.”

“Plagued with health issues beginning at age 4, Arlene never let those stop her,” said Terry. “And faced with failing hearing and sight she pursued her studies and completed her education, utilization her acquired abilities of sign language and lip reading.”

“We would email each other and at the end of every email she would write ‘I Love You To The Moon And Back.’"

Despite her disabilities Arlene worked hard to hone her artistic talents, excelling in photography and crafts designs. After graduating from Withrow High School she attended the Columbus College of Art & Design for a year, living in a student dorm.

She learned to drive – her first car was a pink Chevy Pinto - and later worked at Cincinnati’s Bakery Crafts Company for 15 years as a crafts designer and assembler.

“Arlene had gotten her driver’s license and drove the 30 miles each way to and from her job by herself, regardless of the weather conditions, and she maintained an excellent attendance record,” said Terry.

“Sadly, Arlene had to leave that position on disability, after suffering a stroke but even that didn’t detour her grace and kind-heartiness. She would always say ‘God won’t put more on you, than you can bear’ and ‘God’s will be done.’”

Overcoming her health challenges, which eventually forced her to quit her job and go on disability.

She was a longtime and faithful member of Greater Bethlehem Temple Apostolic Church.  Arlene grew up in a loving family that knew God is truly the head of all, a concept that she held and demonstrated all of her life.

She would sit with the members of the deaf ministry and would enjoy the singing and the preaching of the word.  She had many friends and loved ones at Bethlehem Temple. Despite not being able to attend church in the last few years, she would read her bible everyday as well as keep current with the Sunday School lessons by purchasing the study book and reading it at home.

She loved Star Trek TV shows and movies – she attended a Star Trek convention in Cincinnati with her sister Gloria Harris - and was fan of science fiction and superhero movies.

Despite a series of strokes later in life that left her dependent on a walker, she continued to do craft work and especially enjoyed passing on her artistic skills to her great niece Kya Behanan.

She possessed a deep love and caring of God's creatures- over the years she took care of several animals-dogs and cats.  She would also feed the hungry cats in the neighborhood.  She even took two of them into her home to love and care for them. 

Arlene loved beautiful flowers, she adored the gigantic sunflowers that her mother Annie  grew every year along the fence.

She had awesome skills as a photographer before her eyesight became challenged.  She took photos of still objects as well as adorable portraits of her niece and nephew, Jason and Tina.

Her crafting skills included miniature doll furniture as well as stuffed dolls.  During the cabbage patch kids craze, she made and sold beautiful dolls that were patterned after the popular doll.  She also made and sold adorable Mickey Mouse dolls.

She was also preceded in death by her sister Gloria Harris.

Besides Arlene’s brother Terry, she is survived by nieces Cherese Clark (husband Michael) and LeShaun Behanan of Cincinnati, brother inlaw Robert Harris and nephew Jonathan Harris of Cincinnati.

Also nieces Tina Lorain Peek of Cincinnati, Antia (Tia) Mignon Anderson of Fort Worth, Antoria (Tori) Deondra Allen (husband Rasaan) of Grand Fork, North Dakota, Antavia (Tavi) Lee Anderson of Fort Worth and nephew Jason Lee-Edward Peek (wife Tiffany) of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.

In addition, to honor her memory there are a host of additional nieces and nephews, as well as several great nieces and nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.

Shortly before her death, Arlene moved into her first home.  The last month of her life was filled with making the new place her own. Her great nephew Jaden Behanan, stayed with her and helped her get settled in.

We praise our Lord for his mercy and wisdom in calling Arlene home to his holy heaven where she can now hear angelical hymns, behold wondrous sights, sing to His glories and dance with unhindered and ceaseless joy.   

Throughout her challenges, her faith remained strong.

She relied on Jesus to lead and guide her in her life. Whenever she would have a decision to make or if a situation would arrive, she would always wrap up the discussion with, "If it's the Lord will."  Arlene knew without a doubt that God had her and was always looking out for her.  She would say often while pointing her finger up to Him, "I know He's got me."

Her faith remained strong even until the end, her final words were," Jesus, Jesus." 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Arlene Anderson, please visit our floral store.