[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 77 (Tuesday, May 4, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E478]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE LIFE OF DR. ALFRED ARRINGTON

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 4, 2021

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
life of a remarkable individual, the late Dr. Alfred Arrington.
  Dr. Alfred Arrington began his earthly life on Feb. 3, 1943, in 
Laurel, Mississippi. The son of Mr. Olen Arrington Sr. and Mrs. Johnnie 
Mae (Morgan) Arrington, he was the third child in a family of five 
children.
  On March 26, 1967, he married the love of his life, Josie Howard of 
Cleveland, Mississippi, and to this union, four children were born.
  Alfred accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior at a very early 
age. He often testified to how the spiritual teachings at Pleasant 
Valley Missionary Baptist Church in Laurel inspired his devotion to 
God. On Tuesday, April 20, 2021, Dr. Alfred Arrington completed his 
final chapter in his earthly life journey.
  In the fall of 1962, Alfred enrolled at Alcorn Agriculture and 
Mechanical College in Lorman, Mississippi. He graduated in 1966 with a 
Bachelor of Science degree in education with a minor in biology. In 
1964, he was initiated into Alcorn's Gamma Pi Chapter of Kappa Alpha 
Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. In 1970, Alfred continued his quest for 
excellence and earned a Master of Arts in education from Tennessee 
State University in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1975, he proudly earned a 
doctorate in education from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, 
Oklahoma.
  Alfred's profound career as an educator spanned beyond borders, and 
his diligence as a public servant was immeasurable. Professionally, his 
exceptional background allowed him to serve as assistant principal, 
head football coach and director of athletics in Lake Providence, 
Louisiana; research assistant to the dean of education at Tennessee 
State University; assistant to the dean for minority affairs and 
instructor at Oklahoma State University; visiting professor of anatomy 
and physiology at Delta State University; assistant vice president for 
academic affairs in the Office of Provost, vice president for academic 
affairs in the Office of Provost and chairman of the Health, Physical 
Education and Recreation Department at Mississippi Valley State 
University; and adjunct professor and academic consultant at Alcorn 
State University.
  Dr. Alfred Arrington leaves his cherished memories to his loving wife 
of 54 years, Dr. Josie Howard-Arrington of Greenwood; a son, William 
Davis of Laurel; three daughters, Dr. Wandra Arrington of Vicksburg, 
Mississippi, Margaret Michelle Arrington of Atlanta, Georgia and 
Eulette Denise (Jesse) Harris of Chicago, Illinois; a devoted sister, 
Luella (Jonas) Hardy of Laurel, Mississippi; eight grandchildren, 
Sydney D. Warren of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Jordan K. Warren of 
Montgomery, Alabama, Michael V. Harris and Mason M. Harris, both of 
Chicago, Illinois, William L. Davis Jr. and William A. Davis Jr., both 
of Laurel, Mississippi, Taakanesha Davis of Laurel, Mississippi and 
Erica Martin of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; a godson, Rommell Isaac of 
Conyers, Georgia; a host of nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great-
grandchildren, other relatives, family and friends.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of 
the late Dr. Alfred Arrington, in which he was a faithful community 
leader, worker and motivator.

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