james edward arrington
1934-1987
Life Story
A Devoted Son, Husband, and Father Rooted in the Altare Tradition
Early Life and Family Heritage
James Edward Arrington was born on May 12, 1934, in Newton County, Mississippi, to Herbert Arrington (1914–1982) and Margie Mae Jordan Arrington (1918–1991). Raised in the heart of the Altare Community, James grew up surrounded by faith, family, and a deep respect for hard work. His upbringing was grounded in the principles that his parents instilled — perseverance, humility, and service — which guided him throughout his life.
The Arrington family home along Newton Calhoun Road was a lively place filled with laughter, music, and the warmth of community gatherings. It was here that James learned to value both the physical labor of the farm and the spiritual strength found in church fellowship at Altare Missionary Baptist Church, where the family were long-standing members.
Marriage and Family Life
As a young man, James married Elsie Lee McKee (1938–2023), beginning a partnership that reflected mutual devotion, faith, and resilience. Together, they built a home founded on love and responsibility, raising six children who would carry forward the Arrington family legacy:
- Paul Carey Arrington (1957–2012)
- Brenda Arrington (1962–)
- Sharon Diane Arrington (1964–?)
- Mark Arrington (1965–)
- Cathy Arrington (1966–)
- James Earl Arrington
Family was central to James’s life. Whether working to provide for his household or spending time teaching his children life lessons, he approached fatherhood with patience and pride. His steady presence and quiet determination made him a pillar within both his immediate and extended family.
Community and Character
Like his father and grandfather before him, James embodied the strong moral foundation of the Altare community. He was known for his easy smile, gentle nature, and willingness to help others — traits that earned him respect from neighbors and friends alike.
Faith guided his actions, and he remained active in church life at Altare Missionary Baptist Church, attending services and community gatherings that strengthened the bonds of faith among local families. His life, though humble in setting, reflected the enduring values of loyalty, hard work, and devotion that defined the Arrington legacy.
Passing and Legacy
James passed away in July 1987, at the age of 53, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, faith, and family devotion. His funeral was held at Altare Missionary Baptist Church, with burial in the church graveyard, joining generations of Arrington’s whose lives shaped the heart of the community.
He was survived by his loving wife, Elsie Lee McKee Arrington, and their six children, as well as his mother, Margie Mae Jordan Arrington; one sister, Mrs. Helen Arrington Walker of Jackson; and six brothers: Perkin Arrington of Flint, Michigan; Charles Edward Arrington, Clarence Arrington, Milton Arrington, and Robert Lee Arrington of Newton; and Earnest Arrington of Kamper, Texas. James was also blessed with seven grandchildren, who continued to honor his memory through their love and unity.
Sidebar: The Strength of a Quiet Legacy
In the story of the Arrington family, James Edward Arrington represents the quiet strength of a generation that carried forward the lessons of those who came before. The son of Herbert and Margie Mae Arrington, and the grandson of Henry H. and Isabella Walker Arrington, James belonged to a proud lineage rooted in the Altare community’s spiritual and agricultural life.
His devotion to family and his deep sense of community mirrored the values instilled by his parents and grandparents — to live humbly, serve faithfully, and love deeply. Though his life was cut short, James’s legacy endures in the bonds of his children and grandchildren, who continue to uphold the traditions of faith and unity that defined the Arrington name.
Today, his resting place in the Altare M.B. Church graveyard stands as both a marker of remembrance and a symbol of generational continuity — one more thread in the tapestry of a family whose roots remain firmly planted in Newton County soil.
Resting Place
Altare Missionary Baptist Church Graveyard
Photos/Albums
Sources
- 1950 Federal Census
- The Newton Record, Sale of Land for Taxes, Wed, Sep 15, 1976 ·Page 12
- 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
- U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
- U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
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