Arletta Heflin

Arletta Sylvia Chesley Heflin, 75 of Hacker Valley went home to be with the Lord on Monday, November 11, 2013 at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown. She was born March 22, 1938 in Arlington, Massachusetts to Carl and Thelma Arletta Harris Chesley and was a graduate of Wheaton High School in Maryland. Just prior to graduation, she worked at the U.S. Court House in Washington, DC, and six months later married Bill, and continued working until the birth of their first child, Janet, at which time she became a housewife. They subsequently moved to a home in Maryland and were blessed with two additional children, Nancy and Donna. Arletta enjoyed sewing, camping, hiking, and visiting Sanibel Island, FL and Frankenmuth, MI.

Arletta passed away on a day when we honor all those who have worn uniforms representing many Branches of Service. We honor and salute Arletta, who for years wore an AWANA uniform, which represented the Christian organization whose motto is "Approved Workman Are Not Ashamed" (Reference II Timothy 2:15). She was the AWANA Girls Commander for many years in two churches, leading weekly clubs for hundreds of children. Her goal was to share God's word, be an example, and see all children come to know Christ. She was also an excellent seamstress, and with money she earned from sewing, she single-handedly provided for an AWANA Club in Africa until she was unable to continue. She was very proud of the cards, letters, and pictures she would receive from the African children, and proudly displayed them in her home. She was certainly a missionary by all accounts.

In 1991, she and Bill moved to Hacker Valley, a place they considered to be the nearest possible thing to "Heaven on Earth". Arletta enjoyed being a part of the Holly River State Park Preservation Foundation, and even more so a part of the Church, where both she and Bill taught Sunday School. Every day would bring a new manifestation of God's blessing upon them in the love and care shown by all of their neighbors, friends, and loved ones throughout the community. She was always humble, selfless and giving, and had "Christ-like" unconditional love for everyone she knew.

Arletta was truly a hero in all that she did. She was the best wife, mother, grandmother, and friend that anyone could ever have. She was TRULY an AMAZING person who has, and always will, deserve the utmost respect and adoration.

She is survived by her sister, Judith Ellen Rothenbecker; daughters Janet (Robert) Watson of Waldorf, MD, Nancy (Scott) Heflin of Hacker Valley, and Donna Heflin of Lusby, MD; as well as five grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Bill; parents; and brother Richard Carleton Chesley.

Friends may join the family for visitation and to celebrate her beautiful life on Saturday, November 16, 2013 from 9:00 to 11:00 AM at Dodd & Reed Funeral Home in Webster Springs. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM with Rev. Chris Cosner officiating. Interment will follow in the Cutlip Cemetery, Hacker Valley.

Arletta will be TRULY missed! She was certainly OUR hero!