Arlie's feelings about life were that if she was always on the move, nothing would ever catch her. But the Lord finally caught up with Arlie on Tuesday, June 26, 2012 and took her home. Arlie was born in Mobridge, South Dakota, and graduated from Aberdeen High School in South Dakota. Al and Sally Becker, her parents, always operated a restaurant, and Arlie, her brother, Curt, and sister Bonnie, were waiters as soon as they could carry a cup of coffee. This carried over into Arlie's adult life as she fed the world-any birthday, anniversary, holiday, sickness or funeral would see Arlie showing her love with her famous pies or a lasagna or cake to feed twenty. Arlie graduated from Wichita University, in Wichita Kansas, and there she roomed with her sister, Bonnie. They shared clothes, boyfriends, arguments and love for those years. It was there that she joined Young Republicans and became a firm advocate of state's rights and balanced budgets. Upon graduation Arlie and Bonnie went to Europe for a month, managing on a budget of $5 a day and laughs. Arlie married Charles Graham in 1957 and they were blessed with five beautiful children. Arlie was devastated at the loss of her first two children, son Charles and daughter Sheila, when they were just babies and never got over that pain. She kept them in her heart and always remembered them as part of her family. She cherished her three surviving children and adored her grandchildren - daughter Karen Higgins, son Charles Graham and his wife Barbara, and children Christopher, Sarah, Connor and Megan, daughter Rebecca Kay and her husband, Richard, and children, Lexie, Brandon, Bradley and Amanda. They were the center of her life. For many years Arlie worked with the Department of Social Services as Director of the Energy Assistance Program and developed a program that was named most outstanding in the State. It was there that she became known as the Angel of Frederick, as she helped those in need with a fierce compassion and love. She volunteered at the Religious Coalition, and was a member of the Eastern Star. As an active and committed Board Member of Record Street Home, her Little Sisters loved her as family, and she was. She was a member of Calvary United Methodist Church. Arlie was a vocal member of NRA and posted the sign proudly on her car. But her greatest passion was for her country, and until shortly before her death, she was riding the bus to DC to demonstrate for conservative values. Arlie was a competitive and enthusiastic tennis player, and age was no consideration. She showed no mercy in beating women much younger than she. Arlie was particularly proud of her role as captain of the Senior USTA team that went all the way to the Nationals held in Palm Springs, CA. And typical Arlie, she chose her team carefully and felt she could do better on the sidelines coaching rather than playing. She was aware of the years she carried so gracefully and added bridge to her very full schedule to prepare for the day when she could no longer be a competitive tennis player. She enjoyed tennis until the end and was sought after by many bridge groups as well. Arlie loved adventure from skiing throughout the US and Canada to snorkeling in the Bahamas, to para-sailing in Colorado and to safaris in Africa. But mostly she loved birds, animals and all living things. She was known to ignore the stings of bees while she rescued them from the swimming pool. Her great worry was leaving her home because of her cat and the wild duck with the broken leg that she nursed and fed. She is survived by her devastated family; her sister, Bonnie Cacavas, with whom she spoke two or three times day; her best friend of 48 years, Edith Foland, with whom she shared her life daily and ziti weekly; by a multitudes of friends who all knew her as the kindest person they had ever met; and the countless others whose lives were touched by her compassionate grace. God is lucky to have caught up with her, but our world is diminished. Viewing will be held Sunday, July 1, 6-8pm at Keeney and Basford Funeral Home, 106 East Church Street, Frederick, MD. Services and luncheon will be held Monday, July 2, 11 am at Calvary United Methodist Church, 131 West Second Street, Frederick, MD. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Record Street Home,115 Record Street, Frederick, MD.
