therman bernard arrington

1965-1979

Life Story

A Short Life of Promise and Unforgettable Loss

Early Life and Family

Therman Bernard Arrington, Jr. was born on January 24, 1965, in Newton County, Mississippi, a community deeply intertwined with family, faith, and the enduring legacy of the Arrington name. He was the posthumous son of Therman Arrington, Sr. (1943–1964), who tragically lost his life in an automobile accident when his car collided with a train on Bethel Road just three months before his son’s birth.

After the untimely death of his father, Therman, Jr. was lovingly reared by his grandparents, Herbert Arrington (1914–1982) and Margie Mae Jordan Arrington (1918–1991), in the close-knit Altare Community south of Newton. Under their care, he was raised with the same values of hard work, humility, and faith that had guided generations of the Arrington family.


Education and Early Years

Therman attended Newton High School, where he was known for his friendly disposition and bright spirit. Those who knew him remembered him as a respectful and good-natured young man with a promising future ahead. His life was deeply influenced by the warmth of his family home and the strong moral foundation instilled in him by his grandparents, whose presence shaped his outlook on life and character.


Tragic Passing

On August 11, 1979, at just 14 years old, Therman’s life was tragically cut short in a drowning accident at Cooper Lake in Morton, Mississippi. He had been attending a company picnic hosted by the Esco Company when the accident occurred, shocking both his family and the Newton County community.

Despite the swift response of those present, Therman could not be revived, leaving behind a deep void in the hearts of all who knew and loved him. The tragedy was especially poignant given that he had never known his father, whose life had also ended in a sudden and tragic accident fifteen years earlier.


Funeral and Burial

Funeral services for Therman were held at the Altare Missionary Baptist Church, where generations of his family had worshipped and served. The service was officiated by the church’s pastor and attended by family, friends, and classmates who gathered to celebrate his short but meaningful life.

He was laid to rest in the Altare Church graveyard, beside other family members whose lives and stories shaped the community’s history. His grave stands as a symbol of youthful promise and the enduring love of family that continues to define the Arrington legacy.


Sidebar: A Legacy of Generations

The story of Therman Bernard Arrington, Jr. is one of both sorrow and continuity — a reflection of the strength that runs through the Arrington family line. Though his life was brief, he represented the hope and future of a family deeply rooted in the Altare community’s history.

Reared by grandparents who themselves had endured hardship and loss, Therman’s life was a bridge between generations — his presence a reminder of the sacrifices and resilience that defined those who came before him. His story, intertwined with that of his father, stands as a testament to the fragility of life and the enduring faith of a family bound by love across time.

Therman Bernard Arrington Drowns
Therman Bernard Arrington Drowns

Resting Place

Altare Missionary Baptist Church Graveyard

Photos/Albums

Thermon B. Arrington
Thermon B. Arrington, 1965-1979

Sources

  • U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current
  • Scott County Times, Wed, Aug 15, 1979 ·Page 12

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