curtis arrington
1924-1999
Life Story
A Life of Hard Work, Family Devotion, and Altare Heritage
Early Life and Family Roots
Curtis Arrington was born on May 26, 1924, in Newton County, Mississippi, to Henry Arrington (1891–1988) and Isabella Walker Arrington (1895–1961). He was raised in the historic Altare Community, a rural settlement defined by strong family ties, faith, and perseverance. The Arrington and Walker families were among the early pillars of this community, contributing to both its agricultural foundation and its deeply spiritual identity.
As a young boy, Curtis helped his parents maintain their family farm, working as an unpaid laborer for nearly 18 hours each week. These early experiences taught him discipline, self-reliance, and the quiet strength that would characterize his entire life. Though he completed only the 2nd grade of elementary school at Altare Colored School, Curtis possessed a natural intelligence and curiosity that shaped his outlook on work and life.
Working Years and Family Life
By 1950, Curtis was employed as a truck driver for Wood Works, a lumber and construction company. His work required long hours and physical endurance, but it provided him a steady income and a sense of pride. His dedication to his job was well known among friends and family, who described him as a man who believed in “earning his way honestly and giving his best effort.”
At some point, Curtis married Vermell Chapman (1932–2022), the daughter of Sterling Chapman (1906-1996) and Virgie Moore Chapman (1915-1997). Their union represented a joining of two longstanding local families and produced several children, who carried forward their parents’ legacy of faith and integrity:
- Joyce Arrington Campbell (1958–?)
- Christy Lynn Arrington (1959–2002)
- Michelle Arrington (1963–?)
- Willis Arrington (?-?)
Curtis and Vermell built a loving household that emphasized the values of community service, respect, and compassion for others. The Arrington home was known as a gathering place—filled with laughter, family meals, and an enduring sense of belonging that connected generations.
Later Years and Legacy
As he entered his later years, Curtis remained deeply connected to his community and family. He was known for his quiet wisdom, his reliability, and his gentle humor. Friends described him as “a man of few words but steady hands,” reflecting both his humility and his strong sense of responsibility.
Curtis passed away on May 22, 1999, just days before his seventy-fifth birthday. Funeral services were held near his lifelong home, and he was laid to rest at Altare Missionary Baptist Church Graveyard, where many members of the Arrington family rest beside him. His passing marked the close of a life rooted in hard work, love, and faith.
Though his education was limited, Curtis’s lessons in perseverance and character became the foundation upon which his children and grandchildren built their lives. His story stands as a testament to the quiet dignity of those who shaped the Altare community through endurance and devotion.
Sidebar: The Strength of a Working Man’s Legacy
Born into the heart of Altare’s farming community, Curtis Arrington represented a generation of African American men who carried the weight of progress on their shoulders. Like many of his peers, he grew up during an era when opportunities were scarce and education was often interrupted by the demands of agricultural life. Yet Curtis’s story reflects the resilience of a man determined to make a way for himself and his family.
From the long days spent tilling fields to his years as a truck driver for Wood Works, Curtis embodied the virtues of self-sufficiency and steadfast labor. His marriage to Vermell Chapman united two enduring Altare lineages—the Arringtons and the Chapmans—ensuring that his values would continue through future generations.
Curtis’s life was not marked by fame or fortune, but by faith, family, and fortitude—the true hallmarks of Altare’s history. His memory lives on not only in the quiet resting grounds of Altare Missionary Baptist Church, but in the lives of his descendants, who continue to draw strength from his example.
Resting Place
Altare Missionary Baptist Church Graveyard
Photos/Albums
Sources
- 1930 Federal Census
- 1940 Federal Census
- 1950 Federal Census
- The Newton Record, Public Notice of Application for Special Exception, Wed, Dec 26, 1984 ·Page 14
- U.S., Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 1
- The Newton Record, Isabella Arrington Obituary, Wed, Aug 09, 1961 ·Page 11
- U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current
- U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
- U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
- U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947
- Scott County Times, Henry H. Arrington Obituary, Wed, Dec 14, 1988 ·Page 12
- U.S., Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 2
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