Arlene Wilkerson was born in April 1943 in Oakland, CA, to Trueman and Grace Stenseth. She had two sisters, Norma and Shirley, and one brother, Dale. At the age of four, she moved with her family to Delhi, CA, where she graduated from Livingston High School.
Shortly after graduation, she married Gordon Wilkerson. As a Navy wife, she lived all over the United States before settling in Newport News, Virginia, where she remained until her passing.
Arlene earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Science. She worked as a programmer at both NASA Langley Research Center and Ft Eustice Army Base.
After retiring, she travelled extensively with her husband, visiting every state except Hawaii. In her spare time, Arlene enjoyed painting, model trains, stained glass, and cats.
Arlene passed away on Thursday, October 23, 2025. She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Gordon Wilkerson. She is survived by her daughters, Cheryl Wilkerson and Carol Kelly (Lon), and two grandchildren, April Kelly and Nicholas Kelly.