On the afternoon of Saturday, May 16th, God reached down and chose one of His garden's choicest flowers in the person of our beloved sister Arlene Lynette Botler.
After a long and arduous battle with respiratory failure, He set her free and sent her on a glorious road to be with our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.
Arlene was brought into this world August 5, 1951 in Bremerton, Wa. She was the third of seven children born to the late Alvin H. and Maxine Botler. She was proceeded in transitioning by her younger brother Gordon D. Botler.
Growing up in the Central District(CD) in Seattle, Ms. Botler attended Leschi Elementary, Washington Jr. and James A. Garfield High Schools of the public school system before moving onto Washington State University.
Affectionately called "Lennie" by her immediate family, Arlene was a loving, caring and loyal sister, auntie and friend who - her best friend Beverly Davis-Bell said - "would speak her mind about things she believed in." So true, like her mother Maxine, Lennie's tongue was only held when wisdom or compassion was in order.
Early on in her life Arlene was most happy when involved with music - or the stage - where she lead a number of bands in Seattle and Los Angeles(LA),CA. She also sang in several school and gospel choirs and performed in a number of school plays or operettas, and furthered her talents working with the CD's Black Arts West.
As a spiritually gifted student of the Holy Bible she could hold "church" at anytime and be heard speaking "in tongue" unapologetically away from the rest of the world. She was a devoted member of churches she attended in Seattle (Goodwill MB, Bishop Garry L.Tyson), Glendale,CA(Hollywood Church of Christ, Pastor Rick Wright) and LA (Zoe Christian Fellowship, Bishop Frank L. Stewart). Arlene loved the Lord and praying. You wouldn't be wrong to call her a Prayer Warrior.
When it came to cookin' Arlene could 'get with' the best of them. One of her brothers would say "she can make a feast from a little and a delicatessen from leftovers." She was most talented though when it came to baking. You name it, she could make it - from scratch!
There was no question about the size of Arlene's heart; it was especially on display while she celebrated children. She'd draw pictures (was it mentioned she was quite the artist with pen, brush or pencil?), prepare food, fix decorations for parties, buy presents or sing to them. She loved children!
Arlene was also a stickler for gettin' it right or gettin' on. Although she was a lively soul and could bellow out a hardy laugh, she didn't have a flair for nonsense. If one had an inkling of mischief around her they'd register a glance of disdain from her 'big pretty eyes', followed by "Alright now!" And you could believe she meant "get right."
Arlene is survived by her Sisters Roberta L. Banks(Los Angeles,CA), Cheryl E. Hawkins, Pamela K. Botler and Wendy A. Hoard(all of Seattle); brothers Drew Brown (Sacramento, CA), Byron A., Glenn D. and Alvin C-C Botler (all of Seattle) Aunt Joyce A. Murray (Houston, TX); nephews Martin J. Banks, Quinton and Issacc Botler, Marcus Boston and Alvin Michael Augustus(all of Seattle); Alvin F. Henderson and Sheldon D. Botler(both of LA), Brian L. Henderson (San Diego, CA) and Benjamin D. Hoard (Dallas, TX); nieces Ashel E. Carter(Arlington, TX), Samantha K. Henderson(Sacramento, CA) and Olivia MacDonald(Seattle); grand nephews Jeffrey E. Banks and Marquise Breaux-Banks(Seattle) David Jr. And Xavier Carter (Dallas, TX); and Ever Henderson(LA); grand nieces Leah and A'Niyia Henderson(LA), great grand nephew Emon J. Banks(Seattle) and a host of friends and acquaintances.
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