Arletta Minore

Arletta Eloise Johnson Minore died Monday morning, July 6th, after a long illness, surrounded by her children and extended family. Being with family was one of her greatest joys.

Born March 25, 1939, she lived a long and interesting life. She was born to Alan and Eloise (Ellis) Johnson in Flint where she was a lifelong resident. She graduated from Flint Northern High School where she was a cheerleader. She also attended Flint Junior College. She married Jack Minore in April, 1961, and together they had four children. She had careers in advertising and marketing at Yankee Stores, the Fair Store, the Flint Journal, and then worked for the Flint Chamber of Commerce. She retired from the Flint Chamber of Commerce where she held the position of assistant to the President.

Among her many interests were travel, food and cooking, dance, music, and reading. Her interests in travel, antiques, and food resulted in the Avon House Bed and Breakfast which she ran out of her home for many years, entertaining visitors from around the world. She danced in the FIM Follies and proudly displayed a Flint Journal photo of her in an independent dance troupe which performed in several locations around Flint. She also cherished memories of road trips with friends, family camping trips, and an Alaskan Cruise. She was never happier than when she could cook for and organize an extended family gathering and spend time with her children and grandchildren.

Arletta was an active volunteer in Flint. Among the organizations with whom she volunteered are Flint Sparks; Whiting Auditorium, where she was an usher; and the Crim Festival of Races. She was an integral part of developing and, for many years, running the hospitality program for world class runners participating in the Crim.

Arletta was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Walter Johnson. She is survived by her children Jeffrey (Jalaine), Eric (Brooke), Steffan (Kelly), and Jennifer (John Hayes), as well as sister Cheryl Thompson (Nancy Dash) and grandchildren Joshua (Ashley), Katie, Ronan, Rachael, Zachary, Morgan, Wendy, Ronnie, Matthieu, and Melody, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles.

A private graveside ceremony will be held at Flint Memorial Park where she will be interred next to her mother. A larger celebration of her life will be held as soon in the future as practical. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Flint Institute of Music, the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade, or the American Heart Association.