“If I can help somebody, … my living shall not be in vain.” These words, made popular by the late gospel singer, Mahalia Jackson, are the words by which Dr. Arlene Kearns Dowdy lives her life. As a child, Arlene would hear Mahalia’s rich, thick, syrupy voice bellowing these words from her grandmother’s, now ancient, record player. Bringing the words to life from a child, she followed and assisted her mother from house to house, caring for the sick, distributing the food she could spare, clothing that her nine children had either outgrown or never worn, and household goods, often cooking, baking, and cleaning the house, praying for healing and meeting other needs. Later, Arlene continued this work.

Also in her mother’s steps, she was born a teacher. At an early age, she visited her town library two or three times each week to check out books. She was an avid reader, and she loved school! She made her two youngest brothers attend her “summer school” that she developed with registration, record keeping, textbooks, and grades.

The boys cried, “Mama, make Arlene stop, so we can go play! It’s summertime!”

To Arlene’s surprise, Mama said, “Listen to your sister. It won’t hurt you to learn something this summer. Now, pay attention!”

Growing up in Eastwood, NC, a small family community in the rural south, Arlene had a breeding ground for the mysterious and unexplained-- wooded areas, three church graveyards, a father, grandfather and uncle who were great storytellers and a porch where neighbors and relatives assembled! There were also people who could see and hear the unknown, thus, the background for her first published book, Tales of Eastwood.

Arlene has been a teacher, leader and administrator in the public school system for 29 years, earning National Board Certification in 2005. She has enriched the lives of thousands of students, parents, co-workers and community members.

Her work has helped to change the lives of gang members, the homeless, depressed, fatherless, the elderly, victims of abuse and poverty, lepers and many more. Arlene has been blessed to serve and bless people all over America, in more than 14 countries on 5 different continents, and at least, three islands. She lived in Alaska for seven years. Then, traveling alone by car, Arlene drove from Alaska on the Alkane Highway, was enchanted by the Yukon and Canada, and mesmerized by sites from Montana to New Mexico and Texas and back up through Tennessee to her final destination of Pinehurst, NC. She has ministered in Nigeria, Africa and countries in Southern Africa, where she resided among residents. She has lived in the Middle East, spending almost two years in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and her life continues to be a blessing. She uses the amazing photos and video in her work.

Arlene received a surprise in 2009 that changed her life forever! Her childhood sweetheart, Liston, found her again after 31 years! At the age of 50, Christmas night, 2012, Arlene was married for the first time. She now resides in South Jersey, enjoying her new, quiet life and writing her stories.

Dr. Dowdy’s understanding of culture and people is phenomenal! She has ministered to people, not just in churches and homes, but also along the streets, in parks, shelters, in transit, restaurants, prisons, hospitals, nursing homes, a leper colony, and the list continues. She has found that people are all basically the same. We celebrate with music and dance, and we all need love, acceptance, support, and a place called “home”. Rich or poor, we all have these simple needs that too often are unmet. Dr. Dowdy’s desire is that these needs are met for everyone, and this is why she writes.