Arlene Mercedes Jarvis Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Arlene Mercedes Jarvis was a talented artist and teacher, but perhaps her most endearing quality was her sweet loving spirit. She understood the power of love and anyone who met her was greeted with warmth and kindness. She was born on September 1, 1950, at Freedmen’s Hospital in Washington, DC, to Ruth and Haywood Thompson. Arlene spent most of her childhood in Washington, DC, often visiting her family in Norfolk, Virginia. While Arlene was raised as an only child, she had a sibling-like relationship with her first cousins in Virginia. Arlene accepted Christ at the early age of 10, and was devoted to God. Later in life, she was an active member of Woodlawn Baptist Church in Bowie, Maryland. In her quiet manner, Arlene was a servant of peace, always speaking and ministering in the spirit of love and stressing the virtues of family. She loved to go and preach the disciple with her fellow parishioners. At the age of 17 Arlene graduated from Anacostia High School ‘s class of 1968 and then attended North Carolina A&T State University where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1972. After graduating from A&T, Arlene worked as a court clerk for the District of Columbia Superior Court. It was here that she was courted by and married Stephen Daniel Jarvis Sr. Together they raised three boys, Emanuel, Stephen Jr., and Matthew in Laurel, Maryland. She left the court and worked in the federal government for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). After leaving the USDA she became an entrepreneur, starting her own daycare service, as well as starting an Amway business. Finally, Arlene’s absolute love for children called her to elementary education. She enjoyed teaching small children, but really found her niche working with children that had special needs, and eventually retired from teaching in that capacity. While quiet and unassuming, Arlene’s artistic ability was evident in several aspects of her life. She was quite a seamstress, making dress suits for her boys, beautiful coats, knitted sweaters and crocheted shawls. Her art acuteness was evident in her many drawings and sketches as noted in the program. In addition, she loved to write. She wrote short stories, poems and reflections about many subjects and on current issues. Her journals will be treasured by her children and will be an inspiration to her grandchildren. Arlene loved her family! Her devotion to them was profound and sincere. She always put their needs and wants before her own, and was eager to lend a hand whenever she could. She was a “Blue Star Mother”, having lent all of her sons to serve this country--one officer and two noncommissioned officers. In her later years, she enjoyed being outside, where she would spend countless hours, walking in the woods, planting flowers and enjoying nature. She loved to hold on to that part of her which gave her joy. Working on puzzles, and being a homemaker, she continued to assist her children in the care of their homes. She was also instrumental and dedicated in the care of her parents in the autumn of their lives, and lovingly cared for her husband Steve until his death. Her seven grandchildren were the joys of her life. Emanuel II (Juke) (19), Kadar (13), Zaniah (11), Elizabeth (Lizzy) (10), Lyric (10), Zariah (10), Nile (5), and Caleb (1). She cherished every moment she spent with them and they enjoyed and loved her immensely. The Lord saw fit to call Arlene home in the early morn of 15 June, 2022. She is survived by her sons, Emanuel, Stephen Jr. (Lauren) and Matthew (Alyshia), brother-in-law Sidney and sister-in-law Charlotte (John), and many cousins. She will be sorely missed by all that knew and loved her.

Arlene Mercedes Jarvis

September 1, 1950 - June 15, 2022