elsie lee mckee arrington
1938-2023
Life Story
A Life of Love, Strength, and Family Devotion
Early Life and Family Roots
Elsie Lee McKee was born around 1938 in Mississippi to Jeff McKee (1905–?) and Annie Mae Ratcliff (1915–2000). Raised in a warm, faith-centered home, Elsie grew up surrounded by family, faith, and the values of hard work that characterized life in the rural South. Her early years were marked by a close relationship with her mother and siblings, where she learned the importance of perseverance, compassion, and unity—principles that would guide her throughout her life.
Marriage and Family Life
As a young woman, Elsie married James Edward Arrington (1934–1987), forming a lifelong partnership rooted in love, faith, and mutual respect. Together, they built a home filled with laughter, encouragement, and devotion. Their union produced six children, each of whom carried forward the family’s legacy of strength and resilience:
- Paul Carey Arrington (1957–2012)
- Brenda Arrington (1962–)
- Sharon Diane Arrington (1964–?)
- Mark Arrington (1965–)
- Cathy Arrington (1966–)
- James Earl Arrington (?-?)
Elsie’s greatest joy was her family. She devoted her life to nurturing her children and grandchildren, offering unwavering love and guidance. Her home was a place of comfort, where visitors were greeted with warmth and generosity. Friends often spoke of her gentle spirit and quiet strength—traits that made her a beloved member of both her family and community.
Faith and Legacy
Elsie’s life was anchored by her faith. As a devoted Christian, she exemplified kindness and humility in all she did. Her connection to the Altare Missionary Baptist Church and the surrounding Newton community reflected her lifelong dedication to fellowship and service. She lived out her faith daily—not just through words, but through acts of compassion and hospitality that touched everyone she met.
After a long and fulfilling life, Elsie Lee McKee Arrington passed away peacefully on December 29, 2023, aged 85 years old, surrounded by the love of her family. She was laid to rest at Altare Missionary Baptist Church Graveyard beside her devoted husband, James Edward Arrington, where their eternal bond continues beneath the quiet pines of their ancestral home.
Family and friends gathered to celebrate her remarkable life—sharing memories of her kindness, laughter, and the enduring love she gave so freely. Her legacy continues through the generations she raised and the lives she touched.
Sidebar: The Gentle Strength of a Matriarch
Elsie Lee McKee Arrington embodied the quiet strength of the generations of women who helped sustain the Altare community through love, faith, and perseverance. Born during an era of great change, she bridged the gap between tradition and progress—raising a family deeply rooted in the values of compassion, unity, and hard work.
Her life stands as a reflection of the enduring spirit of the Arrington family, one of Altare’s most established lineages. Through decades of change, Elsie remained steadfast—nurturing her family’s connection to the church, the land, and one another.
Though her physical presence is gone, her memory endures in the laughter of her grandchildren, the shared meals at family gatherings, and the deep sense of belonging she instilled in all who loved her. Like so many of Altare’s women, Elsie’s greatest work was not recorded in books or ledgers—it lives on in the generations she strengthened with her faith and love.
Resting Place
Altare Missionary Baptist Church Graveyard
Photos/Albums
Sources
- 1950 Federal Census
- The Newton Record, Birth of Baby, Wed, Oct 26, 1966 ·Page 5
- The Newton Record, James Edward Arrington Obituary, Wed, Jul 29, 1987 ·Page 8
- U.S. Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 2
- U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current
- U.S., Index to Public Records, 1994-2019
- The Newton Record, Annie Mae Rattley Salter Obituary, Wed, Jan 10, 2001 ·Page 13
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