margie mae jordan arrington
1918-1991
Life Story
A Legacy of Family, Faith, and Perseverance in the Altare Community
Early Life and Family Roots
Margie Mae Jordan was born on April 15, 1918, in Newton County, Mississippi, to Willie Jordan (1886–1952) and Dell L. Walker (1896–1970). She grew up in the Altare community, surrounded by the love and guidance of her parents and extended family, whose lives were shaped by faith, farming, and resilience. Her early years reflected the daily rhythms of rural life in Newton County — working alongside her family, attending local schools, and helping with household tasks that sustained the home.
Margie’s upbringing instilled in her a deep respect for hard work and the importance of unity. She was part of a generation that faced challenges with quiet determination, drawing strength from family ties and faith in God.
Marriage and Family Life
On December 5, 1933, at the age of fifteen, Margie married Herbert Arrington (1914–1982), uniting two long-standing Altare families whose legacies would remain deeply woven into the community’s history. Together, they built a life defined by labor, love, and devotion to their children.
By 1950, the couple and their growing family resided on Newton Calhoun Road in the heart of Altare. Their farm was a hub of activity — crops in the fields, animals in the pasture, and the laughter of children filling the air. Margie balanced the demands of homemaking and fieldwork, embodying the resilience that characterized so many women of her time.
From this union, nine children were born:
- 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–?)
Through their example, Margie and Herbert instilled in their children values of honesty, diligence, and compassion. The Arrington household became known for its hospitality and warmth — a place where neighbors could find comfort and family could always return home.
Faith and Community
Margie was a lifelong member of Altare Missionary Baptist Church, where she attended services faithfully and participated in church and community events. Her spiritual strength and unwavering kindness left a lasting mark on those around her. Whether through her encouraging words or acts of service, Margie lived her faith with quiet grace.
Passing and Legacy
On September 22, 1991, Margie Mae Jordan Arrington passed away peacefully at the age of 73, leaving behind a large and loving family. Her funeral services were held at Altare Missionary Baptist Church, the same sanctuary that had anchored her life in faith and fellowship. She was laid to rest in the Altare Church graveyard, beside her husband and surrounded by generations of family who shared in the community she helped sustain.
Margie’s legacy endures in the lives of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren — in every act of kindness, every shared family meal, and every gathering under the same Mississippi sky she once called home. Her story, like so many of the women of Altare, reminds us that strength, love, and faith can build legacies that outlive generations.
Sidebar: The Jordan–Arrington Legacy of Altare
The union of Margie Mae Jordan and Herbert Arrington brought together two cornerstone families of the Altare community — the Jordans, rooted in diligence and stewardship, and the Arringtons, renowned for faith leadership and civic spirit.
Together, they cultivated not just land, but legacy — one that nourished the church, strengthened family bonds, and embodied the enduring values of Newton County’s African American rural heritage.
Margie’s descendants, spread across Mississippi, Texas, and Michigan, continue to honor her legacy through faith, family, and the preservation of their shared history within the enduring story of Altare Missionary Baptist Church.
Resting Place
Altare Missionary Baptist Church Graveyard
Photos/Albums
Sources
- 1950 Federal Census
- The Newton Record, Arrington-Barfield Exchange Vows, Wed, Nov 30, 1983 ·Page 8
- The Newton Record, D.L. Walker Obituary, Wed, Nov 25, 1970 ·Page 11
- U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current
- The Newton Record, James Edward Arrington Obituary, Wed, Jul 29, 1987 ·Page 8
- 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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