Arthur Lee Carrington

NO SERVICE IS PLANNED!!!

Understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak [a speaker of carefully chosen words and], slow to anger

[patient, reflective, forgiving]; for the [resentful, deep-seated] anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God [that standard of behavior which He requires from us].   

James 1:19-20 Amplified Bible (AMP)

As a man of God, Arthur Lee Carrington exemplified this scripture.  He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, cousin, deacon and friend.  He was the consummate optimist and encourager, witty, fun-loving and compassionate.  Arthur’s large stature exuded a quiet strength and radiated a calming presence.  His culinary skills were enjoyed by many; with his candied yams, greens, steaks and chili as some of his most favored dishes.  He LOVED his wife and daughter and did everything in his power to make sure his girls were happy. Whether it was patiently waiting while his wife shopped or driving to every Stix, Baer and Fuller department store in the St. Louis area to locate a pair of shoes his daughter saw in Seventeen Magazine. Arthur enjoyed travel and coordinated the most memorable vacation in California for his daughter, niece and nephew in 1975. There is no doubt he will be greatly missed.

Arthur was born on October 7, 1935 at Duke Hospital to Johnnie Wade Carrington and Delia Mae Peaks Carrington.  During his first six years as an only child, he frequently asked his parents for a brother.  Little did he know he would get five!  Growing up Arthur was a jovial and mischievous lad. (He admitted to setting the family corn field on fire.)  However, as the eldest of six boys, he was also mature and responsible at a young age.  He grew up in Durham, attending Rocky Knoll Elementary School and Merrick Moore High School, where he drove the school bus during his 10th grade year.  Upon graduating high school in 1952, he enrolled in DeVry Technical Institute (now DeVry University) in Chicago, receiving an associate degree in electronics before enlisting in the Marine Corps in 1955.  While in Chicago, he also worked at O’Hare Airport in food services for American Airlines. 

Arthur headed to California for Basic training in San Diego and was subsequently 

stationed near Los Angeles for specialized training as an Infantry Rifleman before leaving for Middle Camp Fuji in Japan where he had a spectacular view of Mt. Fuji daily.  He also spent time in Okinawa, China and the Philippines.

Upon returning to the States, he was an Officer Candidate School Instructor in hand-to-hand combat at Quantico, VA.  While there, he was asked if he wanted to go to the White House for security duty but declined and eventually went back overseas to Japan for a second tour with the Marine Corps Military Police.

Returning from Japan, he spent time in San Francisco before being discharged and returning to Durham.  Back in civilian life, he initially worked at Duke Hospital in the laundry room. Shortly afterwards, he was recruited by Frank McCrae to work for the Durham Police Department where during his seven years tenure he garnered several recognitions and awards. He placed first in the NC Law Enforcement Officers Association’s 1964 pistol match.  In 1965 he was recognized as “Police Officer of the Month” for solving a burglary case from a small piece of evidence everyone else had overlooked…a shoe heel!  He was the first Black police officer to receive the award.  After resigning from the police department, Arthur briefly worked security at IBM in Research Triangle Park before joining Owens Illinois Machine Manufacturing as Paymaster in the accounting department. He held this position for 10 years. In 1977 when the Durham plant closed, he transferred to the Godfrey, Illinois plant where he was a CAD-CAM Engineer until retiring in 2000 after a total of 33 years with the company.

In the midst of working full-time and caring for his family, Arthur matriculated at Durham Business College, receiving degrees in accounting and computer science, while also delivering for the Chicken Box (aka Chicken Hut) on weekends. He also attended Southern Illinois University where he acquired advanced certifications.

Arthur was introduced to the love of his life, Vonnie Raye Wilson, in 1959 by his brother Belvian. While dating Vonnie (who he affectionately nicknamed “Goober”), she made it clear that she would not be unequally yoked, so Arthur gave his life to Christ and became an active member at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church.  In December of 1961, when he decided he wanted to marry Vonnie he went to her father to get his approval.  Once obtained he planned to propose on Christmas Day.  His proposal consisted of three gifts starting with a white Bible.  The second gift was a manicure set. And the third gift was an engagement ring presented in three progressively smaller boxes.  They were married at Mt. Vernon by Rev. E. T. Browne on June 30, 1962.  Arthur exemplified a Godly husband, caring for and supporting Vonnie throughout her many health challenges over the years. They were two peas in a pod. If you saw one, the other was not far away and dressed in a coordinating outfit. Their 62-year marriage was blessed with one daughter, Karmyn Jenelle Carrington, and a grandson, Jerrold “Jerry” Hinton who shares his grandfather’s love of cooking, as well as expertise with weapons and unarmed combat.

Arthur loved the Lord and loved serving in the church.  He was a Trustee, Deacon and Sunday School Teacher during his time at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church.  After moving to Illinois, the family joined West Side Missionary Baptist Church in St. Louis, Missouri where he and Vonnie were members for 46 years. There he utilized his Spiritual gifts of discernment, helps and intercession as a Deacon, a District Captain and Sunday School Teacher.

Some of Arthur’s favorite hobbies were fishing (deep sea fishing in particular) and hunting.  One of his greatest joys was taking his father on a deep sea fishing trip. He also enjoyed bowling, golfing and racket ball. He joined the Masons at A. S. Hunter Lodge No. 825 and was a Boy Scouts of America Cubmaster and Committeeman for Pack 129.

Memories of Arthur’s positive, calm and comical presence will be cherished by his daughter, Karmyn; grandson, Jerry; brothers, Belvian (Gloria), Weldon, Percy and Walter (Lois); a brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.  He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Vonnie; his parents, Johnnie Wade and Delia Mae; and his brother, James.

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