​Margaret Letitia Phillips Niston Love (Lettie) Arrington

Margaret Letitia (Lettie) Phillips Niston Love Arrington, of Hilton Head Island, SC, formerly of Mount Airy, NC, for 92 years, passed away December 26, 2016, at Hilton Head Regional Hospital. Her loving daughter, Rhonella (Ronnie) Niston Gray, was at her side.

She is predeceased by her parents, Daniel Paul & Sallie Emma Shropshire Phillips, a brother, Thomas Daniel Phillips, & three devoted Christian husbands, Rhoten Ray Niston, Otis Glen Love, and James Franklin Arrington (all three of whom were also brave United States Military Wartime Veterans).

In addition to her daughter Ronnie (James) Gray, survivors include grandson Jeffrey David (Cynthia) Goodwin & granddaughter Caroline Elisabeth (Brett) Kelley; 4 great-grandchildren, Nina Catherine & Jane Ellen Goodwin, & Camden Brown & Davis Phillips Kelley; 2 sisters, Minnie Ruth Koontz & Juanita (Delmer) Lewis; brother Roger Glen Phillips; step-daughter Melissa (John) Moseley; step-son Ronnie Franklin (Tommie) Arrington; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Joining Haymore Memorial Baptist Church as a young girl, Lettie lived a wonderful Christian life. Over the years, she taught various Sunday School classes, assisted the G.A.’s, faithfully served in WMU officer roles & gave freely of her time & talents on many committees. Even in her 80’s, she taught a Bible class at Twelve Oaks Retirement Home every Wednesday morning. A hard worker, she was gainfully employed from her teenage years, first in retail sales, then several decades as a dental assistant, secretary to the county coroner, finally retiring in 1985 from the Purchasing Department at Quality Mills. An exemplary United States citizen, she was an active lifetime member & past President of VFW Ladies Auxiliary Post 2019, Mount Airy, NC, past Chaplain of the 11th District Ladies Auxiliary to VFW, & member of the American Legion Auxiliary.

She adored her family & friends & took great delight in spending time with them, or entertaining & cooking for them in her home. Just a few weeks before her death, she was still dancing & singing with the young ladies who aided in her physical therapy.

Visitation will be held at Haymore Memorial Baptist Church, 319 Rockford St., Mount Airy, NC, at 10:00 a.m., on Saturday, 1/21/17; with a memorial service to follow at 11:00 a.m., with the Rev. Robert McCrary officiating. Howell Funeral Home is serving the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Haymore Memorial Baptist Church or to the donor’s charity of choice.