Arlean Ellen Thorne was born on July 16, 1955. On Sunday, September 29, 2024, she went to her heavenly home to be with her beloved husband Bennie C. Thorne, Sr.; parents, William and Luddie Robertson; brother, Cohen Robertson; sister, Ethyl Maldonado; stepsons, Bennie C. Thorne, Jr., and Ricky Selden; granddaughter, Chelsea Johnson; brother-in-law, Jesse Goodwin and great-niece, Tanieka Coley.

Arlean grew up in Richmond, Virginia and received her education in the Richmond Public School System. At an early age, Arlean accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, Richmond, Virginia. Through her hard working parents, Arlean learned to work hard for what she wanted out of life and never took anything off of anyone.

Arlean started her career working for various restaurants and hotels around the Richmond area before she decided to make a career at McDonald's. She started out as a cashier and worked her way up to Shift Manager, Store Manager and on to become General Manager, before deciding to change career paths in 1995. She worked at Ukrop's/Martins until she retired in 2017.

She tried the retirement thing until boredom set in and if you knew Arlean, sitting still was not her thing. So, she went to work for Roses on Mechanicsville Turnpike from 2019 to 2024 where the crew fell in love with her.

Arlean was a trailblazer even after being diagnosed with cancer. She didn't let that slow her down as she continued to fight until she took her last breath with her son and family by her side.

Arlean is survived by her loving son, Orlando L Robertson, Sr. (Twanna), and Smokey "K-9" Thorne; step-children, Fannie Robinson, Lucretia Washington, Rayven Thorne and Kevin Wright; grandchildren, Shawniqua McFadden, Orlando L. Robertson, Jr., Markel Brown, Yolanda Robertson, Richard Robinson, Markes Robertson, MyAngel Robertson and Sherman Washington; great-grandchildren, Jon'Naijah Gilliam, Kourtney Bailey, Kingston McFadden, David Joseph, Jr. and Jazmine Johnson; siblings, Beatrice Goodwin, Ann Robertson, Allen Robertson (Jean), and Antoinette "Boo" Robertson; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends; and special friend Judy Cox.

Funeral services can be viewed online by selecting the "View Funeral Webcast" link below on Thursday, October 10, 2024, at 11:00 a.m.

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