Arlene Frances Dove Whitlow

Ms. Arlene Frances Dove Whitlow, 85, of Springdale Road, Elberton, passed away on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at Elbert Memorial Hospital. Although she had been in declining health, death came following a sudden cardiac event.

Memorial services celebrating Arlene’s life will be conducted on Wednesday, January 28, at 2:00p.m. at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, officiated by The Rev. John D. Keeler. A reception and time of visitation will follow at the Time Capsule, 11 N. Oliver Street, Elberton. Interment will be in the Dove Family Lot of Elberton’s Historic Elmhurst Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her memory to St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 109 Brookside Drive, Elberton, GA 30635 or to Elbert Memorial Hospital Ladies Auxiliary, 4 Medical Drive, Elberton, GA 30635.

The fifth of seven children, Arlene was born in Elberton on June 14, 1940, daughter of the late Roy Fred Dove and Sara Elizabeth “Lizzie” Ethridge Dove. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her grandson, Kyle Whitlow; siblings: James Paul Dove, Mary Joann Dove Pruitt, Harold Lee Dove, Roy Norman Dove, and William Ethridge “Butch” Dove; and former husband and father of her children, James ‘Kenneth’ Whitlow. 

She is survived by her children: Steve Whitlow of Colbert, Bruce Whitlow and his wife Frances Ruth of Lakemont, and Brook Whitlow of Elberton; sister, Beth Dove Dotson of Elberton; grandchildren: Bryan Whitlow, Emily (Josh Pruitt) Whitlow, Dylan (Dr. Elizabeth Grace) Whitlow, Betsy (Tyler Huddleston) Gaffney, Maggie (Tra Wilkins) Gaffney, and Taylor Higginbotham, widow of Kyle Whitlow; great-grandchildren: Laya Whitlow, Lily Whitlow, Sebastian Joseph Gaffney, and Tristen Kyle Whitlow; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Arlene was a 1958 graduate of Elberton High School. She worked for many years as a bookkeeper, at Lavender Law Office and the family business, Whitlow Electric, as well as at Diamant-D. She also worked as an interior decorator and drapery designer, and owned and operated Custom Draperies and Interiors. Arlene later moved to Atlanta where she worked for Markem Imaje as a bookkeeper. After returning to Elberton, she operated Serendipity, an antique shop on the Square.

Arlene was a devoted member of St. Alban’s Episcopal Church. She served as President of the Church Women, junior warden, senior warden, and reader. Additionally, Arlene served as Altar Guild President and treasurer. She further served her community as a member of the Elbert Memorial Hospital Ladies Auxiliary for many years, and was president of Pastime Players Theatre Group, which met in the Historic Rock Gym before the Elbert Theatre was restored.

Arlene as an accomplished quilter and in her younger years enjoyed waterskiing and snow skiing. She enjoyed putting together puzzles and using word puzzles to keep her mind sharp. Arlene was a PADI certified Scuba Diver who enjoyed diving off the coast of the Bahamas and the Florida Keys. Her greatest joy in life was being with her family, and her four-legged companion Manny. She loved traveling worldwide.

Those wishing may sign the online guestbook at berryfh.com.

Berry Funeral Home & Crematory of Elberton is respectfully in charge of arrangements for Ms. Arlene Frances Dove Whitlow.