Arlene A. Letters

Arlene A. Letters, age 91, passed away peacefully on May 9, 2024 in Washington, Utah. Born on December 6, 1932, in Olivet, Eaton County, Michigan, Arlene was a loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend.

Arlene was raised in Olivet and Charlotte, Michigan, where family values of hard work, frugality, and integrity were instilled at a very young age. She learned to make crocheted rag rugs from worn-out long cotton stockings, old dresses, and aprons. She made crocheted afghans, one of which she received a “blue ribbon” at the Calhoun County Fair. At her elementary school, Smith School (a one-room schoolhouse), she learned to weave with yarn making six-inch squares which were put together by her teacher to make afghans to send to World War II injured military personnel.     

Arlene graduated from Lansing Sexton High School in 1951. Her career spanned several decades where she contributed her skills as a secretary in various organizations, including Cello-Foil Products, Custer Job Corps, General Foods, Oliver Corp, and Wolverine Insurance Co. Her dedication and work ethic left a lasting impact on her colleagues and those she served throughout her career.

Arlene lived the bulk of her life in Battle Creek, Michigan.   She married Ralph Letters 42 years ago in the Washington DC Temple, where those years were filled with love, companionship, and mutual support. She was previously married to Roy A. Banks and were blessed with 3 children from that marriage. Following her marriage to Roy Banks, she married Roy LaMore. She was a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, having been baptized in 1956, and served in numerous church callings such as Patriarch’s Scribe, Temple Ordinance Worker in the Chicago Temple, and Stake Primary President among many others. Arlene’s faith and dedication to service were sources of strength and inspiration to many.

She is survived by her eternal companion Ralph Letters, her beloved sister, Evelyn Elizabeth Dillin of Battle Creek, Michigan; her children, Cynthia Marie Banks (Duane) Wilkey of Hurricane, Utah, Gregory Alan (Jennifer) Banks of Newnan, Georgia, and Janice Renee Banks of Salt Lake City, Utah; stepchildren, William Halford Letters of Whiting, Vermont, Frank Gardner (Heather) Letters of St. George, Utah, and David Brandon Letters of Jenison, Michigan; as well as 7 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren.

Arlene was a remarkable woman whose generosity, spirit, and kindness touched the lives of all who knew her. She will be profoundly missed and forever remembered.