Arlene Poland DeFoor

Arlene Heathcott Poland DeFoor, 95, was born in 1925, in Driggs, Arkansas. Her family moved to Texas in 1929 and settled in the Runnels County area. She married Lloyd Eugene Poland in 1946, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where they had their first child, Darla. They moved to Albuquerque in 1950 where Jim, Jane, and Jeff were later born. She assisted Lloyd in his ministry as Benevolence Deacon, always offering assistance to anyone in need. They were married for 31 years when Lloyd preceded her in death in 1977. Arlene married Irving DeFoor in 1986, and they were married for 22 years before he preceded her in death in 2008.

Arlene enjoyed a long working career in sales, eventually retiring from Sears and Roebuck, before going to work for APD as a crossing guard, working well into her 80s. She was a beloved member of Penn. St. Church of Christ and later Mountainside Church of Christ, where she taught Sunday school for many years. She enjoyed cooking and baking pies, often twelve at a time, for someone in need, and creating special birthday cakes for her friends and family. She spent the last two years at Elmcroft Senior Living facility, where she passed away on April 15, 2020.

Arlene was preceded in death by her parents, Dick & Minnie Heathcott; her husbands, Lloyd Eugene Poland and Irving DeFoor; brothers, Arnold, Rass, Jimmy, and Ray Heathcott; and sister, Maxine Pritchard. Surviving siblings include Ronnie Heathcott, Royce “Butch” Heathcott, and Joyce “Sissy” Heathcott and their spouses, and sisters-in-law Dorothy Poland and Dell Poland.

She is survived by her loving children, Darla Tarwater, and husband Johnny of Fort Worth, Texas; Jim Poland and wife Debbie of Albuquerque; Jane Taylor and husband Doug of Oplin, Texas; Jeff Poland and wife Opal of Kerrville, Texas. She is also survived by her stepson Kyle DeFoor and wife Bonnie of Quemado, NM, and Kyle’s sons, Richard DeFoor and wife Brenda, and Chuck Schefler and wife Becky. She was Grandma to her devoted grandchildren: Shane Mason and wife Tina, Robert Poland and wife Valerie, Beth Darnell and husband Matt, Amber Taylor, Brittney Taylor, Ashley Watson and husband Tres, Erica Moffett and husband Keith; and GiGi to her great-grandchildren Brittany Mason; Joieanne Singleton; Frank and Dusten Salas; Emily and Addie Poland; Eugene and Judson Darnell; Ryder and Anna Claire Watson; Lincoln and Georgia Moffett; and great-great grandchildren McKenzie Little and Jase and Jaydon Singleton. She was affectionately called ‘Aunt Babe’ by her numerous nieces and nephews.

Arlene lived a lifetime of service to her family, church, and community, and she will be remembered fondly for her unique style and her love of purple! A Memorial Service will be conducted at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Albuquerque Christian Children’s Home, 5700 Winter Haven Rd NW Albuquerque, NM 87120, or Ponderosa Christian Camp, 12300 Indian School Rd NE Albuquerque, NM 87112. Special thanks to the good folks at Elmcroft Senior Living.