herbert arrington
1914-1982
Life Story
A Legacy of Faith, Labor, and Family in the Altare Tradition
Early Life and Family Heritage
Herbert Arrington was born on July 2, 1914, in Newton County, Mississippi, to Henry H. Arrington (1891–1988) and Isabella Walker Arrington (1895–1961). He was raised in the heart of the Altare Community, a place defined by close family ties, deep faith, and the steady rhythm of rural life. From an early age, Herbert learned the value of work and perseverance. By childhood, he was already contributing as an unpaid farm laborer, assisting his parents with the cultivation of cotton and corn on the family’s farm — an experience that laid the foundation for his lifelong dedication to agriculture and family responsibility.
In 1927, Herbert was enrolled in the Altare Colored School. Despite his limited formal education, he cultivated a deep understanding of land, weather, and hard work — practical lessons that would sustain him throughout his life. The simple yet demanding life of rural Mississippi molded his character, instilling in him humility, patience, and a strong devotion to both his family and community.
Marriage and Family Life
On December 5, 1933, Herbert married Margie Mae Jordan (1918–1991), beginning a partnership grounded in shared values and resilience. Together, they worked tirelessly to build a home and raise a family during an era marked by economic hardship and social change.
The couple made their home along Newton Calhoun Road in the Altare Community, where Herbert farmed his own land. He was known to work long hours — often 50 hours a week — managing crops, tending livestock, and ensuring his family’s needs were met. The Arrington household was filled with love, laughter, and the constant hum of daily life on a working farm.
By the 1950 census, Herbert and Margie were the proud parents of nine children, all of whom grew up surrounded by the values of hard work, faith, and family unity:
- Perkin Arrington (1931–?)
- James Edward Arrington (1934–1987)
- Charles Edward Arrington (1937–1996)
- Robert Lee Arrington (1938–1995)
- Helen Arrington (1941–?)
- Earnest Arrington (1942–2000)
- Therman Arrington (1943–1964)
- Clarence Arrington (1947–2012)
- Milton Arrington (1949–?)
Herbert’s devotion to his family was unwavering. He was not only a provider but also a teacher, instilling in his children the same principles of honesty, self-reliance, and faith that he had learned from his own parents.
Work and Community Life
Herbert’s life reflected the steady transformation of the rural South. Like many men of his generation, he balanced his role as a farmer with broader community engagement. He registered for the World War II draft, demonstrating his sense of duty and citizenship, though he remained at home to continue farming and supporting his family.
He and his wife Margie were active participants in the Altare Missionary Baptist Church, where the Arrington family played a long-standing role in the congregation’s history. The church was more than a place of worship — it was a center of education, community organization, and kinship for families like the Arringtons, who relied on one another during the struggles of the mid-20th century.
Later Years and Legacy
Herbert continued farming throughout his life, adapting to the changes that came with mechanization and shifts in rural labor. He maintained his land with quiet pride, embodying the virtues of self-sufficiency and faithfulness to his calling.
On November 2, 1982, at the age of 68, Herbert Arrington passed away, leaving behind a legacy of strength and compassion that resonated through his family and the Altare community. Funeral services were held at Altare Missionary Baptist Church, where generations of Arringtons had worshiped, married, and found comfort in times of loss.
He was laid to rest in the Altare M.B. Church graveyard, surrounded by family members and ancestors whose lives were intertwined with his own — a sacred resting place for a man who lived by the values of faith, family, and perseverance.
Sidebar: The Arringtons of Newton Calhoun Road
The Arrington family of Newton Calhoun Road represented one of the enduring pillars of Altare’s mid-century Black farming community. Through faith and determination, families like Herbert and Margie’s built sustainable lives in the face of economic hardship and limited opportunity.
Their home served as both a family haven and a gathering place for neighbors — a site where children played in the fields, Sunday dinners filled the air with laughter, and community ties grew stronger. Herbert’s legacy, rooted in the teachings of his father Henry H. Arrington, extended through multiple generations who continued to farm, work, and worship in the Altare tradition.
In many ways, Herbert’s story is the story of Altare itself — of a people who, through labor, faith, and love, carved a lasting identity out of the Mississippi soil.
Resting Place
Altare Missionary Baptist Church Graveyard
Photos/Albums
Sources
- 1920 Federal Census
- 1930 Federal Census
- 1950 Federal Census
- U.S., Index to Public Records, 1994-2019
- U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current
- The Newton Record, Isabella Arrington Obituary, Wed, Aug 09, 1961 ·Page 11
- U.S., Phone and Address Directories, 1993-2002
- U.S., Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 2
- U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
- U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
- U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947
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