wardell arrington
1929-2000
Life Story
A Life Rooted in Family, Faith, and the Land
Early Life and Family
Wardell Arrington was born on December 24, 1929, in Newton County, Mississippi, to Henry H. Arrington (1891–1988) and Isabella Walker Arrington (1895–1961). He grew up in the Altare Community, a place deeply intertwined with the heritage of his family, where the values of faith, family, and hard work were central to daily life. By 1940, Wardell had completed the second grade of elementary school—an achievement that reflected both the economic limitations and strong determination of many African American families in rural Mississippi during that era.
As a young boy, Wardell worked as a farm helper on his family’s land, contributing to the household through long days spent plowing, planting, and harvesting. These early experiences instilled in him an enduring appreciation for the land and the self-reliance that defined his parents and grandparents. Outside of work, he found peace in fishing along nearby creeks and rivers, a pastime that brought him joy throughout his life.
Marriage and Family Life
After 1950, Wardell married Essie Mae Coleman (1931–2006), the daughter of Joe Coleman (1895–1965) and Ardell Evans Coleman (1897–1969). Their marriage brought together two deeply rooted Altare families—the Arringtons and the Colemans—united by shared values and community ties.
In the mid-1950s, Wardell and Essie moved north to Flint, Michigan, joining many other Southern families seeking better opportunities during the Great Migration. Life in Flint offered new prospects, but the couple’s hearts remained tied to Mississippi, and they eventually returned to Newton County, where they raised their family amid familiar surroundings and the church-centered community they cherished.
From their union came three children, each carrying forward the Arrington legacy:
- Odell Arrington (1952–?)
- Margie Arrington
- Shirley Arrington
Their home was filled with love, laughter, and faith—a continuation of the strong familial traditions that had defined Altare families for generations.
Later Years and Legacy
Wardell was known for his calm demeanor, humility, and devotion to his family. His passion for fishing and outdoor life reflected his deep connection to the natural world, while his steady work ethic and quiet wisdom earned him respect within his community.
He passed away on December 29, 2000, at the age of 71, leaving behind a legacy of integrity and steadfastness. His funeral service was held at Altare Missionary Baptist Church, where family and friends gathered to celebrate a life lived with dignity and faith.
Wardell was laid to rest in the Altare Church graveyard, a sacred space that also holds generations of Arringtons, Walkers, and Colemans—families whose stories intertwine with the very history of the Altare community. The peaceful resting place stands as a testament to his lifelong ties to the land and people he loved.
Sidebar: A Steady Hand in the Arrington Lineage
Wardell Arrington embodied the quiet strength that defined the Arrington family across generations. Raised in the shadow of faith and farmland, he lived through eras of change—from the agricultural rhythms of the 1930s to the industrial migration of the 1950s—yet he remained rooted in the principles instilled by his parents, Henry and Isabella Arrington.
His life bridged two worlds: the rural simplicity of Altare and the industrial promise of Flint, Michigan. Through it all, he carried with him the essence of his upbringing—faith, perseverance, and an abiding love for family. His story, like so many from Altare, reflects not just personal endurance but also the enduring legacy of a community that nurtured strength from the soil of shared history.
Resting Place
Altare Missionary Baptist Church Graveyard
Photos/Albums
Sources
- 1930 Federal Census
- 1940 Federal Census
- 1950 Federal Census
- The Newton Record, Isabella Arrington Obituary, Wed, Aug 09, 1961 ·Page 11
- Scott County Times, Henry H. Arrington Obituary, Wed, Dec 14, 1988 ·Page 12
- U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current
- U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
- U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
- The Newton Record, Meadowview Hospital, Newton, Wed, Mar 22, 1972 ·Page 5
- U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995
- U.S., Phone and Address Directories, 1993-2002
- U.S., Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 1
- U.S., Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 2
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