McRae, GA. –

Mary Brown Arrington, 93, died Thursday, January 3, 2013. A celebration of her life will be held Sunday, January 6, 2013 at the McRae United Methodist Church at 4:00 p.m. with Rev. Peter Barlow and Rev. Steve Waldorf officiating. Burial will be at 1:00 p.m., Monday, January 7, 2013 in the Jonesboro, GA, City Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday, January 5 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Lowe's Funeral Home, Helena, also at the church an hour prior to the service. In lieu of floral gifts, and at her request, the family respectfully suggests donations be made to the Television Ministry at the McRae United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 8, McRae , GA 31055 or the Television Ministry at McRae First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 484, McRae, GA 31055. During her last years of life when she was confined to home we as a family looked forward to both services which are televised weekly.

Born at home July 24, 1919, in the community of Bumblehook, south of Jonesboro, she was eagerly welcomed and a joy to her parents Floyd Jasper and Myra Lindler Brown, and her three older brothers, Floyd, Horace, and Lamar, as well as a large extended family. She was predeceased by her parents, her brothers and their wives, her husband, Ed Arrington, their baby Edward James (Jimmy) Arrington Jr, and daughter Anne Arrington. They have now welcomed Mary to her eternal home.

Mary thrived on the love of family and friends. Her humor and wit plus a pleasing personality endeared her to many. A year after graduating from Jonesboro High School (where she was voted the most popular and wittiest girl) she married Edward James Arrington Sr, whose job with Georgia Power took them immediately to Macon, GA. As a young bride in a new city she reached out to others and made dear friends in Macon and later in Milledgeville where the family lived until the transfer to McRae, GA, her home for 70 plus years. As a homemaker and "friend-maker" Mary loved McRae and its people. She will be remembered for her outgoing friendliness, humor, and acts of kindness in "her community" that became home.

Hospitality was practiced by her parents and Mary also had the gift of hospitality. She made many dear friends including young brides who moved into McRae, some living across the street from her home. A member of the McRae Methodist Church, she was active in the UMW Circles, the Amen Corner, the Mary Windsor Sunday School Class, and Communion Steward. She was a room mother for her daughters' school classes and worked in Vacation Bible School long after her daughters were grown. Mary was an amazingly wonderful cook! Through the years she has given away thousands of "Mary's sugar cookies" and countless delicious meals were taken to others in times of sorrow or celebration.

Mary loved her "preachers" of all denominations and even had a "preacher chair" available any time to encourage and entertain these precious pastors. She usually sent them on the way with a bit of wisdom, humor, and a smile. Her small back porch was a gathering place for many friends of all ages where much talking, laughter, jokes, prayers, and tears were shared. Even a precious Christian Ministry began on her little porch. Mary spent countless joyful hours there watching the many species of birds that came to her bird feeders. She kept her bird identification book and binoculars handy to check out any newcomer!

She went around "doing good" until her health failed. As a result of being home bound she received wonderful support from friends, excellent care from Beverly Brown Hughes R.N. and the Three Rivers Home Health Staff, and her Sitters: Celonia Pace, Billie Faye Scarborough, Annie Laurie McDuffie, Beverly Boatwright, Laveta Mobley, Marie Sullivan, Betty Pace, and the late Anne Ward and Jo Williams. God's strength was evident in her life during many challenges of sorrow and illness.

Mary is survived by her daughter Emily and beloved son-in-law Rudy Dennis; Granddaughters Julie Bragg and Susan (Clint) Yancey; Great- Grandsons Joshua Yancey, Luke Yancey, Mark Yancey, Justin Bragg, Kyle Bragg, Dillon Bragg all of Warner Robins; several nieces and nephews; children of the late Dr. and Mrs. Frank R. Mann Jr., Marilyn (Peter) Bednar, Frank (Rose) Mann, Carol (Cal) Lavely, John (Susan) Mann; close friends Sophie Berry and Wayne and Jane Riddle, as well as many other treasured friends. We will all miss this friendly, funny, generous, and compassionate lady who displayed a welcoming heart and home. She will be remembered for the impact for good that she had on generations.

You may register online condolences at lowesfuneralhome.net

Lowe's Funeral Home, Helena is in charge of arrangements.