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Arlene Glover (originally spelled Arleen), born on October 25, 1961 in Estill, South Carolina. was the beloved firstborn of  David Lee Glover and Mary Lou Hall Glover. Over the next nine years, Arlene dutifully took on the role of big sister in welcoming  her siblings David Glover, Jr., Calvin Glover, James Glover, Ronald Glover, Rachael Glover, and Hezekiah Glover.​​ The growing family was raised in Cocoa, Florida and established themselves as a renowned family in their community. Arlene attended Fairglen Elementary where she was among the first racially integrated classes of the school. In 1970, her mother Mary died unexpectedly from an ectopic pregnancy at the age of 30, leaving Arlene as the Matriarch of her family at the age of 9. 

Her father David Lee Glover later married Ruby Glover who was a welcomed addition to the young family, and who lovingly and heroically stepped in to raise the children. The family later welcomed sons Micah Glover,  Matthew Glover, and Mark Glover. 

Arlene graduated from Cocoa High School in 1979, and went on to attend, and graduate from the University of Central Florida. She was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1983. She married her college sweetheart Dr. Adebayo Adedeji in 1984. 

In 1989, Arlene and Adebayo welcomed their beloved firstborn, Daniel Adedeji. The family was eagerly expecting their dear daughter, Sheree Adedeji, who was born prematurely and died after birth in 1993. This was a tragic loss for the young family and weighed heavily on Arlene for the entirety of her life. Joy soon returned to their hearts with the arrival of their precious daughter, Erica Adedeji, in 1994.

Dr. Adebayo and Arlene were divorced in 2001, and ever the devoted mother, Arlene tirelessly dedicated the rest of her life to raising and providing for her children, while continuing to be a support to her family in Florida, and serving Jehovah to the best of her ability.

As a career civil servant in the Federal Government, Arlene held roles with various organizations to include, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the U.S. Census Bureau (USCB), and The Department of Justice (DOJ)  U.S. States Attorney Office (USAO). In 2023, she retired with over 20 years in her career as an EEO Specialist,  Counselor, and Investigator with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Ingrained with a deeply personal passion for fairness and justice, she was renowned in her field for her work ethic, and was honored for going above and beyond her call of duty for her clients. 

Excited about her recent retirement on October 31, 2023, Arlene’s eyes glowed with her visions and plans to travel, have new experiences, and do more of what she loved with the people that she loved the most. She did just that, and was only getting started. 

On Friday, September 13, 2024, Arlene spent the day doing what she loved most: grooming her prized yard and rose bushes, fawning over Miss Kitty (the beloved family cat), and  enjoying a quick shopping spree.  She and Erica lovingly spent the rest of the day talking, laughing, making a traditional family recipe, and watching their favorite classic Westerns movies late into the evening. Erica left the room briefly and returned to find Arlene suffering an apparent medical emergency. Erica was her first responder and bravely performed CPR while waiting for EMS to arrive. Despite the life preserving measures that were taken, her condition deteriorated at Southern Maryland Hospital where she was pronounced brain dead days later and was removed from life support by the medical staff. Her loss of brain function and consciousness appeared to be gradual. Throughout her hospitalization she was surrounded by dozens of friends and family members who passionately advocated for her care, and stayed at her bedside. Having never regained full consciousness, in the end, Arlene felt no pain and appeared as if she was just sleeping peacefully. She died on September 28, 2024; less than four weeks from turning 63. The family is grateful for the congregation and all those who gave their support, prayers, and physical presence during that most difficult time. 

Arlene is fondly remembered by all those who had the privilege of knowing and loving her. 

Characterized as “The Firecracker”, “The General”,  and the “Administrator,”  Arlene was known for her passionate personality and ability to lead and inspire others. Arlene was synonymous with her wit, tenacity, vivacity, sense of humor, strength, infectious energy, hearty laughter, and fierce and  loyal love for her family. Fun loving, adventure seeking, and full of infectious energy, Arlene exuded an irresistibility about her that inevitably dragged others (willingly or unwillingly) into her love for life. 

A  history buff, she was renowned for her various research projects to include American, British and African History, literature,  and genealogy.  As a research expert, she was known for throwing herself into her many projects and was a subject matter expert on countless topics.  Arlene  dreamed of returning to the holy land in Israel, as she was very proud of her biological Hebrew heritage passed down to her from her mother,  and her mother’s mother, and so on… and that which  lives on through Erica today. 

A natural and lifelong artist, Arlene enjoyed and was a student of many art forms; from music, to dance, to architectural design, and much more. A talented salsera, Arlene was known to inspire the crowd and lead the women in dance. A master of Asian and European paper art forms, including origami and quilling, Arlene left behind several masterpieces that remain as a part of her legacy. 

Passionate about God’s Kingdom, she exhausted every opportunity, and then created even more, to talk about God’s Kingdom to all she met in every setting of her life.  As a beloved daughter of Jehovah, her greatest expectation and strongest faith, was in God’s promise of the resurrection. She longed to be reunited with  her loved ones, such as her daughter Sheree Adedeji; mother Mary Lou Hall Glover; bonus mother Ruby Glover; and brother Ronald Glover; pets: Rocky, Clownhead, and Fluffy, and many  others who had fallen asleep in death over her lifetime. 

Lovingly referred to as “Momma” by her two children, Daniel and Erica, she was their closest confidant, biggest fan, and greatest love. One of her greatest joys in life was having her children near her, and they are grateful to have been by her side to the very end. She was most proud of Erica and Daniel and her legacy continues to live on through them. Her family takes comfort in God’s promise of the resurrection and everlasting life. 

Arlene Glover Adedeji was preceded in death by daughter Sheree Adedeji, mother Mary Lou Hall Glover, step Mother Ruby Glover and brother Ronald Glover.

Arlene Glover Adedeji is survived, and lovingly remembered by, her two children Erica Adedeji and Daniel Adedeji; father David Lee Glover; siblings David “Bud” Glover, Calvin “Lumpy” Glover, James “Jamie” Glover, Hezekiah Glover, Micah Glover, Matthew Glover, Mark Glover, Vabian “Ray” Elmore, Rachael Glover Holloway; beloved pets Miss Kitty, and goldfish, and extended family members, friends, and all those who knew and love her.