louise evans arrington
1898-1983
Life Story
A Life of Devotion, Heritage, and Family in the Altare Tradition
Early Life and Family Heritage
Louise Evans Arrington was born on May 8, 1898, in Newton County, Mississippi, to Elias Evans (1875–1951) and Rachel Jane Cotton (1874–1971). She was raised in the Altare community, a place where family, faith, and hard work shaped daily life and where generations were bound together by deep mutual support.
From an early age, Louise contributed to her family’s livelihood. She worked long days on her parents’ farm, helping cultivate crops and tend livestock. Despite the labor-intensive lifestyle of rural Mississippi, she valued education and managed to complete the eighth grade, an uncommon accomplishment for many African American children of her generation. Her determination to learn reflected both her personal discipline and the example set by her parents, who prized perseverance and integrity.
Marriage and Family Life
On October 9, 1915, at the age of seventeen, Louise married Aaron Arrington (1896–1981), beginning a marriage that would last for nearly seven decades. Together, they built a life of purpose and faith centered around family, farming, and the Altare Missionary Baptist Church.
Census records identified Louise as mulatto, a designation tied to her light skin tone and family lineage. Her ancestry traced through her great-grandfather, Andrew Jackson Cotton, a white slaveowner and the father of her grandfather Henry Orange Cotton. This complex heritage reflected the deep and often painful intersections of race and identity in the post–Civil War South. Louise’s life thus bridged generations shaped by both hardship and resilience — a reminder of the enduring power of family legacy in the face of historical injustice.
As a housekeeper and unpaid farm worker, Louise balanced the demanding duties of field and home with extraordinary strength. She and Aaron raised seven children, each of whom inherited their parents’ work ethic and sense of community.
Their children were:
- Ada Arrington (1913–?)
- Dessie Rae Arrington (1916–2010)
- Adline Arrington Walker (1919–?)
- Albert Arrington, Sr. (1919–2009)
- Carrie Arrington (1924–?)
- Willie Lee Arrington (1925–1966)
- Bessie Arrington (1928–1995)
The Arrington home was a hub of warmth, faith, and learning — a space where love and discipline coexisted, and where every child was taught the value of honesty, humility, and prayer.
Faith and Passing
Faith was central to Louise’s life. She was a devoted member of Altare Missionary Baptist Church, participating in its ministries and community gatherings for decades. Her presence was marked by grace, compassion, and quiet leadership — qualities that made her beloved among both family and church members.
Louise passed away on May 13, 1983, at the age of eighty-five. Funeral services were held at Altare Missionary Baptist Church, officiated by Rev. J.L. Hunter, her longtime pastor and spiritual guide. Her husband, Aaron Arrington, and daughter Willie Lee Arrington Gaines preceded her in death.
She was survived by her children Desaree Arrington of Laurel, Adline Walker of Newton, and Albert Arrington of Newton, as well as 29 grandchildren, 58 great-grandchildren, and 33 great-great-grandchildren. While her obituary did not state her burial location, it is most likely that she was laid to rest at Altare M.B. Church Cemetery, near generations of her family who had worshiped and lived by the same enduring faith.
Sidebar: The Evans–Arrington Heritage
Louise Evans Arrington represents the interwoven history of two foundational Altare families — the Evanses, known for their generosity and land stewardship, and the Arringtons, recognized for their faith leadership and enduring service.
Her life reflects the essence of Altare’s legacy: faith in God, strength in family, and devotion to community. Through her, the spiritual and cultural threads of both lineages intertwined — bridging the 19th century’s struggles with the 20th century’s promise.
As an educator of life, a matriarch, and a steadfast believer, Louise’s story stands as a testament to what sustained the Altare community through the decades: love, endurance, and faith that never faltered.
Resting Place
Altare Missionary Baptist Church Graveyard
Photos/Albums
Sources
- 1900 Federal Census
- 1910 Federal Census
- 1920 Federal Census
- 1930 Federal Census
- 1940 Federal Census
- 1950 Federal Census
- Indiana, U.S., Death Certificates, Willie Lee Arrington Gaines, 1899-2011
- Scott County Times, Louise E. Arrington Obituary, Wed, May 25, 1983 ·Page 3
- U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
- U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current
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