January 4, 1933 - November 27, 2018

Arlene June (DeWitt) McArthur passed into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, November 27, 2018 around 6am. Born on January 4, 1933, to Beulah (Zorn) and Harold DeWitt, in Emporia, Kansas, Arlene and her brother, Earl (Edie) Troutman grew up in California.

She was a devoted wife to Ron McArthur who welcomed her at the gates of heaven and a loving mother to Mark (Denise) Philpot and Rhonda Stankiewicz, and step-mother to Dianne (Gerry) Adams and Terry (Rod) Appleton. She adored her grandchildren: Kris (Lindsey), Matt (Chelsea), and Kellie Philpot; Reese and Evan Adams; Josh (Alison), Ben, and Emma Appleton; and great-grandchildren Audry Appleton and Harrison Philpot.

A lifelong educator, Arlene graduated from Long Beach State College and became a teacher at Huntington Park Baptist School and Montebello Christian School. An avid reader with a book always in her hand, after retiring from teaching she volunteered at both her Downey First Baptist church library and the Downey City libraries. She was a member of the Chi Alpha Sunday School class at First Baptist Church of Downey and will be dearly missed by her cherished friends.

Her love of teaching and mentoring others carried on long after retiring. She took art classes at the Downey Adult School where she met new friends to encourage.

Her love of animals was displayed by all the bird feeders in her yard, the squirrels that fed out of her hand and her pride in showing friends pictures of all her Granddogs.

Arlene was blessed with opportunities to travel the world on mission trips and was a wonderful example of the Christian faith. Arlene and Ron were passionate about missions and championed the cause of Christ at DFBC and around the world. They gave selflessly, cared well for others, including missionaries. Home town ones knew they always had a “home” to go to when they were in southern California. They loved all missionaries well, supported them and encouraged them always.

Please join her family in celebrating her life on Sunday, December 2, 2018, at 1:00 pm, at the First Baptist Church in Downey, California. Charitable donations can be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) or a charity of your choice.

You may leave the family condolences on our web site, www.rishermortuary.com.

562-699-0916.