Gwendolyn Eleanor Arthur

Gwendolyn Eleanor Carter was born on October 10th, 1929 to John Carter and Amanda Sledge in Washington, DC. She was raised by her grandmother, Eleanor Carter.

At a young age, her grandmother became ill and was bedridden. She stepped in as the sole caregiver. After her grandmother passed, she was raised by loving cousins and aunts.

Gwendolyn attended various schools in the Washington, DC area finishing at Cardoza High School. After high school, she went to Margaret Mary Washington Nursing School, graduated with honors, and became a Licensed Practical Nurse. Throughout her nursing career, she was employed at Gallinger Hospital, Howard University Hospital, Freedman’s Hospital, Providence Hospital, and Washington Hospital Center. She received numerous awards throughout her career. Her compassion and love for Christ was evident and was demonstrated by the love and care she gave her patients. She also worked as a private duty nurse.

After her retirement from nursing, her love for children other than her own, led her to seek employment with The District of Columbia Public Schools System, working at Taft Junior High School as an Attendance Counselor. She had a passion for her students, often bonding with them and forming a mother/child relationship. She worked tirelessly to ensure that they stayed on the straight and narrow and finished school. If they missed school, she would call their parents and even make surprise visits to their homes.

Dropping out was not an option. They formed relationships that often times stayed the course even after the students graduated. Many times, they would come back and thank her for the love and interest she showed to them. Everyone knew and loved Mrs. Arthur. Having a love for community and desiring to be a part of helping to promote unity among women, led her to join Sigma Gamma Rho, Inc. Zeta Tau Sigma Philo Affiliate in 1986.

To demonstrate her love, commitment, and willingness to go the extra mile, though she had her high school credentials, she enrolled in Ballou Stay with her daughter Lucy to encourage her to stay in school and complete her diploma. They both graduated together!

A Time to Plant

Gwendolyn loved Jesus and committed her life to serving Him. Understanding the importance of serving God, she stayed aligned with the church. Her early membership was with Vermont Avenue Baptist Church under the late Rev. Wheeler. She was baptized at Tenth Street Baptist Church under the late Dr. John L. Henry and later became a member of New Samaritan Baptist Church under the late Rev. Robert Harrison and the current pastor, Bishop Michael V. Kelsey, Sr. Her commitment to Christ was demonstrated through her exemplary servanthood. She was the President of the Pastoral Care Ministry, a member of the Missionary Ministry, a member of the Sunday School Department, and a member of the Culinary Ministry. She also served with distinction as the President of the National Baptist Convention Women’s Auxiliary – DC & Vicinity.

On January 25th, 1998, she moved her membership to Southern Baptist Church, under the leadership of Bishop Charles Henry Doom, Jr. She quickly became involved, joining the Pastoral Care Ministry, serving as president of the Mother’s Board, president of a Missionary Circle, member and ardent supporter of the Daughters of the Covenant Promise, and member of the Adult Sunday School Department. She was an extremely hard worker and Kingdom fundraising was one of her amazing talents. She would support her church in various fundraising efforts, aligning herself with the vision of the house. Mother Arthur could get you to donate, if you wanted to or not!

Mother Arthur traveled extensively for the National Baptist Convention and the Sunday School Congress in Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Detroit, San Francisco, New Orleans and other major cities in the United States.

Her travel was not limited to domestic, but she also traveled internationally, visiting Germany, Sweden, and Korea. She loved to travel and experience different cultures, finding a souvenir to bring back for her children and grandchildren.

A Time to Laugh

There was absolutely no one like Mother Arthur. She would light up any room that she entered. Feisty is a word that comes to mind when you think of her. She was a fireball that was filled with love and compassion for her family and her friends. Her children and grandchildren have many experiences, and sayings that they will cherish forever. Some of those sayings include “wash your hands first before you go in my refrigerator”, “cut me two fingers worth of pie”, “just this much, just a pinch”, “don’t forget the black pepper”, “plenty of butter”, “ain’t nothing shaking but the leaves on the tree”, and “yeah,…but”.

Sometimes she would lovingly say that she would use her cane to “beat you”, but it was honestly her way of getting your attention. She was a connoisseur of food and a wiz in the kitchen. She passed down her recipes to her grandchildren along with her love of cooking. She was known for her homemade rolls, pecan rolls, sweet potato pie, bread pudding, corn pudding, coconut pie, and German chocolate cake. She could cook or bake anything and she even knew how to make sweet tea with ginger ale that was a staple at all the family gatherings. She also loved drawing. She was an avid artist and would draw pictures for her children.

A Time to Love

On May 20th, 1947, she married Clement Goodwine, Sr. From this union, these children were born: Clarence, Eleanor, Lucy, Clement, and Gwen. Later in life, she married James Arthur, Sr., and from this union, these children were born: James Jr., Jeanette, Stephen, and Kenneth. She loved all of her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. Her love was supreme for her God and her church. She truly was a mother to all. Her home was always a gathering spot and a place of refuge for many in the community and beyond. She would feed and clothe those in need and this brought her great joy. Helping others was a true passion, as she strived to be a Christ like example for those in her family and around her. She had a big heart, with enough room in it for her family and others.

A Time to Mourn

Gwendolyn Eleanor Arthur quietly and peacefully transitioned this life, surrounded by loving family and friends, on Thursday, February 27th, 2025 @8:13pm. She leaves to mourn: (Children) Clarence and Ruth (deceased), Eleanor (Charles), Lucy (deceased), Gwendolyn, Clement Jr. (Ethel), James Jr. (Victoria), Jeanette (Jerome Sr.), Stephen (Shirlian), and Kenneth. (Grandchildren) Kievette (deceased), Kendra, Desiree (Torey), Rodney (Keisus), Roderick (Donetta - deceased), Robin, Rhonda, Jocelyn, Diberyan (Tanisha), Channae, Christen (Gamal - deceased), Christopher, Sinclair, Jazmyne, Jerome Jr., Jalissa, Stephen, and Diamond. (Great Grandchildren) Maceo, Kianna (Chris), Kaya, Kayla, Monique, Rodney Jr., Roderick Jr., Quasheba, Tyler, Skylah, Raena, Raeven, Rian, Shamara, Marvin Jr., Anthony, Tyler, Victoria, Cahlil, Gianna, Caden, Marquis, and Patience. (Great-Great Grandchildren) Trinity, Ilahn, Mariam, Laila, Ahrielle, Navaeh, Jonte', Jayden, Jakari, Asha, Ra'Maya, Ta'Miyah, Jalaal, Zurii, Lauren, MaJoy, Malone, Madison, and Jayce.

Theadie Hill (Son In Love)

Ron Barnes (Grandson In Love)

Crystal Arthur (Daughter In Love)

Lisa Williams and Avis Watts-Massenburg (Adopted Granddaughters)

And a host of relatives and friends who will cherish her memory forever!!

Her favorite song: “If Jesus Goes With Me, I’ll Go”

Her favorite Scripture, that she often recited from memory – Psalm 27

27 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.

3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

4 One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.

5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord.

7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.

8 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.

9 Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.

10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.

11 Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.

12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.

13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.