Arlene Marose Wilson

Arlene Marose Burch Wilson, 80, of Arkadelphia, Arkansas, went to be with her Lord Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at Baptist Medical Center in Arkadelphia.

She was born January 29, 1943, in Chicago, Illinois, to George W. Burch and Evelyn Frank Burch.

Arlene loved to dance and sing and took tap dance and ballet lessons in Chicago.  One of the highlights of her singing and dancing was being able to appear on television in Chicago before tv came to Arkansas.

She graduated from Arkadelphia High School in 1961. She then married Kenneth Ray Wilson on June 17, 1961, two weeks after her high school graduation.  She went on to graduate from Ouachita Baptist University earning her bachelor’s degree in education in 1965.

Arlene was the co-owner of Wilson Piano Company in Arkadelphia until her and Kenneth’s retirement in 2003.  Before co-owning the piano store, she taught at Bismarck School District for three years and a half year at Malvern School District.

She was an active member of Park Hill Baptist Church in Arkadelphia since 1967.  There, she taught children’s Sunday School classes, directed the children’s department and was an active member of WMU. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Cary and Brent Burch and one half-brother, Dewey Burch.

Left to cherish her memory is her husband of sixty-one years, Kenneth Wilson, as well as a large number of nieces and nephews.

A visitation for family and friends will be held Saturday, March 18, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at Park Hill Baptist Church in Arkadelphia with a funeral service to follow at 2:00 p.m.  Dr. Craig Seals, Dr. John Small, Brother Don Tallison and Brother Joseph Breckenridge will officiate the service.

Burial will follow at Center Ridge Cemetery near Gurdon, Arkansas.

Memorials may be made to Ouachita Baptist University, Park Hill Baptist Church or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Arrangements are entrusted to Ruggles Wilcox Funeral Home, 517 Clay Street, Arkadelphia, Arkansas 71923.