Ettie Arlene Crimson Fletcher was born in a little farmhouse near Plato, Mo., on Jan. 22, 1925, to Arthur E. Crismon and Effie Lingo Crismon. She was the younger sister of Robert Bland Crismon. The family attended church every Sunday morning at Cedar Bluff Baptist Church. Her parents helped establish her church. This is where Arlene accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior and devoted her life to His service.
Arlene graduated from Plato High School in 1943. This is where she dated her future husband, Kirby Richard Fletcher. Arlene also attended Southwest Missouri Teachers College in Springfield now known as Missouri State University. Prior to marriage, she taught one year in country school near Plato. In 1944, Kirby finished college and on April 9, 1944, married Arlene in Licking, Mo. They spent the early years of their marriage living with Arlene’s mother helping her run the farm due to her father’s death in 1943. Kirby was an ordained minister and preached at several small churches in the Plato area. During this time her mother died in 1951.
It was while living on the farm that Arlene’s first three children were born: Ronald Dean on May 1, 1945, Virginia Lee on Feb. 17, 1949 and Anita Kay on Nov. 7, 1951. Kevin Ray was born into the family on Jan. 3, 1964.
In 1952, Arlene and Kirby moved their family to Houston, Mo., after Kirby took the position of Director of Missions for the Texas County Baptist Association. Kirby served in this position for the next 15 years. Arlene faithfully assisted Kirby with doing associational work such as helping out at Simmons Camp and working with GA’s. Arlene was also involved with the Women’s Missionary Unio as she was during most of her life. Kirby followed God’s call to become the pastor of the First Baptist Church of Wolf Point, Montana, the summer of 1967. While living there Arlene assisted with Bible schools for the Indian children.
In 1970, Arlene moved with Kirby once again. This time they went across the state to Libby, Mont., where Kirby was the pastor of the First Baptist Church. She once again was busy with teaching Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and the Montana Southern Baptist State Convention Summer Camp. By 1973, Arlene and Kirby felt the desire to return to Southern Baptist State Convention Summer Camp. By 1973, Arlrne and Kirby felt the desire to return to Missouri. Kirby was called to preach at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church outside of Salem, Mo. Kirby and Arlene returned to Houston, Mo., in 1977. Kirby served as Interim Pastor of the First Baptist Church for a brief period prior to being called, once again, as Director of Missions for Texas County.
On July 1981, Arlene lost the love of her life, Kirby, in a farming accident. After Kirby’s death, Arlene took a position working with the Texas County Baptist Association as secretary to the new Director of Missions. This was a position Arlene would remain in until 1989. Counting the years that Kirby served as Director of Mission, Arlene devoted 27 years of service to the association. Upon retiring in 1989, she moved to Republic, Mo., and became an active member of the First Baptist Church.
In August 2012, Arlene moved to Farmington, Mo., to be nearer to one of her children, Kevin, and became a member of Farmington First Baptist Church. God has watched over Arlene through all these years. Although she has suffered through various surgeries and cancer, God has spared her life to spend more time with her cherished family. Throughout her life, she always felt a desire to serve God and witness to others. Even her last days at the nursing home, Arlene witnessed to other residents and the staff.
Arlene is survived by her children and their spouses, Ron and Gilda Fletcher, Virginia and Dennis Bayer, Anita and Jerry Bingham, Kevin and Jill Fletcher. She also leaves behind 12 grandchildren and their spouses, two step-grandchildren and their spouses, 16 great-grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren.
Visitation for Arlene is 10-11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015, at Republic First Baptist, Republic, Mo. Burial will follow at the Manes Baptist Church Cemetery in Manes, Mo., under direction of Taylor Funeral and Cremation Service, Inc., Farmington, Mo.
Memorials may be made to the Baptist Home in Ozark, Mo., and Gideon’s International. Photo obituary, online guestbook and video tribute to be online at www.taylorfuneral.com.
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