bairl arrington, jr.
1912-1946
Life Story
A Life of Labor, Service, and Sacrifice from Altare to the Battlefield
Early Life and Family Heritage
Bairl Arrington, Jr. was born on May 16, 1912, in Newton County, Mississippi, to Burrell Arrington, Sr. (1854–?) and Sarah Ann Foster Arrington (1877–1930). His family lived in the Altare community, a rural settlement deeply rooted in agriculture, kinship, and faith. The Arringtons were among the early families who helped shape the social and spiritual landscape of Altare through farming, church participation, and community service.
Bairl grew up in a modest household where work and faith went hand in hand. According to the 1940 U.S. Census, he completed the 4th grade at Altare Colored School—a reflection of the educational limits many Black families faced in early 20th-century rural Mississippi, where schooling often had to give way to farm labor. Despite this, Bairl’s intelligence, determination, and sense of purpose were evident from a young age.
Marriage and Family Life
At the age of sixteen, on November 16, 1928, Bairl married Edna Norman (1912–1998), beginning a partnership grounded in love, faith, and shared ambition. Together, they built a home filled with laughter and perseverance. They rented a house on farmland owned by L. M. Simmons, where Bairl worked diligently as a farm laborer, providing for his family through long hours of hard physical work.
From this union, four children were born:
- Odie B. Arrington (1929–2010)
- Marvin Arrington (1933–?)
- Robert Lee Arrington (1934–2000)
- Johnny Lee Arrington (1938–2001)
These children grew up under the same values that had shaped their father—faith, responsibility, and resilience in the face of hardship.
Military Service and Wartime Experience
When the United States entered World War II, Bairl’s life took a historic turn. On December 12, 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Army at Camp Shelby in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, joining thousands of young men from across the South who were called to serve. His military records note that he was separated from his wife at the time of enlistment—an emotional hardship he carried with him during service.
During his time in the Army, Bairl adapted to the disciplined life of a soldier, forming close bonds with fellow servicemen. However, the rigors of training and the strains of war took a toll on his health. In January 1945, he was hospitalized with acute bronchitis, a serious illness that required several weeks of care. After his recovery and return to duty, he continued to serve with quiet strength and determination until his honorable discharge on November 9, 1945.
Return Home and Untimely Death
Upon returning to Newton County, Bairl sought to rebuild his life and reunite with his family. Yet only four months after his discharge, tragedy struck. On March 10, 1946, at the age of thirty-four, he passed away suddenly—his health likely weakened by wartime strain and illness.
His unexpected death was deeply felt in the Altare community, where he was remembered not only as a soldier but as a devoted father, hardworking laborer, and kind-hearted friend.
Bairl was laid to rest at Altare Missionary Baptist Church Graveyard, a sacred place that had long been central to his family’s faith and community life.
Legacy
Though his years were few, Bairl Arrington, Jr. lived a life defined by courage, labor, and love. His service to his country during World War II reflected both personal bravery and the broader story of African American men who fought for freedom abroad while still facing inequality at home.
His legacy lives on through his descendants and the enduring memory of his family’s contributions to the Altare community—a testament to perseverance, dignity, and devotion to both faith and family.
Sidebar: African American Soldiers from the Altare Community in World War II
During World War II, young men from the small Altare community of Newton County, Mississippi, answered their nation’s call to service despite the stark realities of segregation and limited opportunity at home. Their enlistment represented both courage and conviction—a testament to the deep patriotism rooted in Altare’s faith-based traditions.
Among these servicemen was Private Bairl Arrington, Jr., whose journey from farm fields to military service reflected the sacrifices of many rural African Americans during the 1940s. Like his peers, Bairl faced the dual battle of defending democracy abroad while enduring racial discrimination in the South.
Another native son, Ambus Arrington (1916–1971), trained at Camp Shelby in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, the same facility where thousands of Black soldiers prepared for overseas duty. Many of these men, including those from Newton County, served in segregated units, often assigned to labor or support roles, yet they carried their duties with discipline and pride.
The war years not only changed the lives of these men but also reshaped their home communities. When they returned to Altare and surrounding areas, they brought new perspectives, leadership, and a deeper sense of purpose. The experience of military service—whether abroad or on home soil—strengthened their commitment to family, church, and civic life, laying the groundwork for future generations who would continue the struggle for equality and opportunity.
The legacy of soldiers like Bairl and Ambus Arrington endures as part of the Altare story—a reminder that even in a time of division, the people of this small Mississippi community stood united in service, faith, and hope for a better tomorrow.
Resting Place
Altare Missionary Baptist Church Graveyard
Photos/Albums
Sources
- 1920 Federal Census
- 1930 Federal Census
- 1940 Federal Census
- U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current
- U.S., Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, 1861-1985
- Scott County Times, Edna Norman Arrington Watts Obituary, Wed, Mar 18, 1998 ·Page 6
- U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
- U.S., World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946
- U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947
- U.S., World War II Hospital Admission Card Files, 1942-1954
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