Arlene Harper was born on August 22, 1941 to the blessed union of James and Lillie Arlene Harper. Born in Opelika, Alabama Arlene and family later moved to Toledo, Ohio where she attended Libbey High School. She graduated from Stauzenburger College with an Associate’s degree in Business. She worked as a Home Health Aide and through that work, she was able to employ the gentle spirit with which she was endowed.

Arlene was a very meek and loving woman. She loved nothing more than being with family. She hardly ever missed a family gathering, cookout, or reunion. She also appreciated a rousing family game of Scrabble. Arlene was known to travel with her Scrabble board game just in case she found an enthusiastic group. She lived the majority of her adult life with her siblings (and closest friends) Jeanette and Sylvester; the three of them were like peas in a pod. Though she had no children of her own, her family nickname was Granny. She was always kind to her nieces and nephews; she dreamt big when it came to their futures and always had a word of advice.
Arlene was an avid sports fan, as a young lady she enjoyed playing softball. She also enjoyed watching basketball and football games. In her spare time, Arlene wrote songs and sang them for anyone with a listening ear. She was fond of cuisine, television and fashion. She was a regular viewer of The Young and the Restless, which was her favorite of all the “stories” (as she called them).

At the age of 77, Arlene departed this life on August 30, 2018 at Hospice of Toledo. She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Lillie Harper, brothers Ulysee and Sylvester Harper, and sister Jeanette Harper. She leaves to cherish her memory, brother James (Aridian) Harper, sisters Lou Genia Galloway and Mae Snodgrass, numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. Needless to say, Arlene will be missed by all.