A. Milton Arrington departed this earthly life peacefully from his home on May 9, 2009. Born on Old Fort Road in Rocky Mount, he was the fourth and youngest son of John Morris and Carrie Prillaman Arrington, now deceased, along with two of his older brothers, James Elbert Arrington and Kearney Wilburn Arrington. Milton graduated from Rocky Mount High School in 1947 and acquired his Associate Degree in Business from Lynchburg College in 1949. He then began his business career as a bookkeeper with Ideal Lumber Corporation. In 1951 he enlisted in the United States Air Force and served three years as a cryptographer in Japan during the Korean War. He was discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant in 1954. He returned to civilian life and resumed his work with Ideal Lumber Corporation. On August 21, 1954, he married Mary Evelyn Bennett (Mary B.). Later that year he began work as a bookkeeper with Central Oil Corporation, where he remained until 1965 when he established Arrington Flowers and Gifts.
With a genuine sense of commitment and generosity, Milton gave back to the community he loved. A very dedicated civic volunteer, he was an active member of the Rocky Mount Christian Church since 1938, and served as Chairman of the Board, a Trustee, and Elder. He was a member the Board of Directors for the First Virginia Bank, the Advisory Board of BB&T Bank, and the Board of Directors for Bernard's Landing (SML). He served on the Rocky Mount Planning Commission and was president of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce. He also served on the board of the Family Resource Center, the Franklin County Red Cross, and the Community Partnership for Revitalization. He was President of the Rocky Mount Retail Merchants Association and was a District Representative for FTD for the State of Virginia. He was a past member of the Hunting Hills Country Club and the Rocky Mount Jaycees.
A thoughtful and elegant gentleman, Milton paid attention to fine detail. He attended the American School of Floral Design in Chicago and was known for his floral creations. He loved his homes, designing and building several over the years, including a country home in Redwood where he kept horses. Milton is survived by his wife of 55 years, Mary B, of the home; his sons Andre (Andy) Milton Arrington (Patty), Goodview, Va.; Landon Marcellus (Marc) Arrington, II (Denise), Roanoke; Gregg Bennett Arrington (Jane), Greensboro, N.C.; grandchildren, Landon Marcellus (Cel) Arrington, III, and his special friend, Caitlin White, Nathaniel (Nathan) Conrad Arrington, Molly Kathryn Arrington, John Richard Arrington; and stepgrandson, Anselm Wiercioch. He is also survived by his brother, John Clark Arrington (Jerene), of Rocky Mount; special brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Dr. A. Wayne and Shirley Bennett, of Clemson, S.C.; dear "family" member, Rochelle Simmons; many nieces and nephews; and beloved Miniature Schnauzer, Hogan Fritz, of the home.
A memorial service will be conducted from Rocky Mount Christian Church, 120 S. Main Street, 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 12. 2009, with the Reverend Jody A. Johnson and the Reverend William K. Dawson officiating. Inurnment will follow at the High Street Cemetery in Rocky Mount. Flowers and/or donations to the Rocky Mount Christian Church would be most appreciated. The family will receive friends Monday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Rocky Mount Christian Church. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Lynch-Conner-Bowman Funeral Home, Rocky Mount, 540-483-5533.



Published in the Roanoke Times from 5/11/2009 - 5/12/2009