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Arleen Townsend Stanton was called home to heaven on Feb. 26, at the age of 68. Arleen was born on March 6, 1954, in Fort Eustis, to Deaconess Mary Ann Hall Townsend and the late Deacon Howard Edward Townsend Jr.

Arleen dedicated most of her life to teaching and education. She attended school in Petersburg, and Fort Knox, Kentucky before moving with her family to Charlotte County. At the age of thirteen she participated in the original integration of the Charlotte County Public Schools where she performed as a majorette, in the concert band, and was honored to be the Prom Queen in at Randolph-Henry High School. She graduated from Virginia State College in 1976 with a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Education in Early Childhood Education. She then continued her education in New Mexico State University. Arleen taught for 42 years. She began her career at Bacon District Elementary School in Charlotte County, Virginia, before teaching in Germany and throughout El Paso, Texas. She shared her passion for learning with hundreds of children over the years, including her own grandchildren.

Arleen was happily married to Wright Stanton III, who was her partner in life for 45 years. She had three children, which were the most important part of her life. She and Wright dreamed of all the places they would travel and the adventures they’d experience as a family. Arleen unconditionally, unselfishly loved her children and supported them her whole life. Swimming became a huge part of her life, as her children became swimmers and her husband their coach. As her children grew, her greatest pride was experiencing them become successful swim coaches, just as her husband. She also loved spoiling her six grandchildren. Arleen was her grandchildren’s biggest cheerleader. She attended every swim meet, every school function, and was their first teacher. Arleen adored teaching them every opportunity she had.

The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to Arleen. She enjoyed quiet evenings with her family, watching her favorite soap operas or crime tv shows. After retirement from teaching, Arleen took pleasure in fishing with her family and found beauty in the outdoors. She loved to collect figurines that held special meaning in her life. She loved to capture special mementos in pictures. She was an avid Pokémon and solitaire player. She loved shopping, collecting rare toys, traveling, listening to Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and decorating her home for every holiday throughout the year.

Arleen was a devout Christian and a big member of her military church community. She first accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age at Mt. Ellis Baptist Church in Keysville, where she was active in Sunday School, the Junior Choir and Usher Board.

She is survived by her husband, Wright III; her children, Wright IV, Jeremiah, and Elora; her grandchildren, Abram, Aliyah, Kaden, Kaia, Adriel, and Hudson; her mother, Deaconess Mary Ann Hall Townsend; her siblings, Theresa, Howard (Florence), Brenda, Rose (Henry), and Darlene; her in-laws, Wright, Jr. & Kiyoto Stanton, Ora, Vara, Tom (Lisa), Taki (Franklin), Mayra, Rachael, and Dennis; and a host of relatives and friends.

She will be dearly missed by all.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, March 24 at 11 a.m. at Mt. Ellis Baptist Church Cemetery in Keysville. The family will receive friends on Thursday, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Mt. Ellis Baptist Church in Keysville. Condolences may be expressed at www.JeffressFuneralHome.com. Arrangements are by Jeffress Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Brookneal.