Edward "Big Ed" Arrington, Sr.

Edward “Big Ed” Arrington, Sr.

Matthews, GA  –         Edward Arrington, Sr., 79, loving husband of 60 years to Sammie Faye Goodin Arrington, unexpectedly entered into his eternal rest Sunday afternoon, August 16, 2020 at his residence.  Funeral services to celebrate his life will be held in the James Funeral Home Chapel at 3:00 P.M. Wednesday afternoon, August 19, 2020 with Rev. Tony Key officiating. Interment will follow in the Woodland Baptist Church Cemetery.

Because of the family’s concern for public health and safety during this COVID-19 pandemic, the family requests that social distancing as mandated and other safety precautions be followed.  The wearing of face masks is encouraged.

One of nine born to the late Eunice Pennington Arrington and the late Thomas “Hardy” Arrington, Edward was a lifelong resident of Matthews and was a 1961 graduate of Wrens High School. On the day of his graduation, he began his 47-year career as a millwright and boiler operator with Southern Glassine, later Deerfield Specialties, where he was known as “Big Ed”.  He married the love of his life at the age of 19  and settled in for 60 years of wedded bliss. As a young boy, he accepted Jesus as his Savior, serving Him at Wrens Church of God and for the last 60 years at Woodland Baptist Church where he was a Deacon, the Treasurer, and Training Union Director. After retirement, he helped his son with his lawn-care business, as well as helped his wife in her catering business where his specialty was peeling potatoes and loading the car.  Growing up, Edward worked on the family farm and enjoyed hunting and fishing.  Even though he never truly farmed again—having some cows, a horse, and/or pigs occasionally but never working the land—he had a farmer’s heart and love for the land. He was always watching the farming channel on TV, and thinking FarmersOnly.com was a farmer’s organization, considered becoming a member. From his early farming experience, he had a love and fascination with tractors and was a collector of tractor memorabilia—John Deere, Ford, International Harvester, no matter the brand.  Edward was naturally funny and provided family and friends with much “comedic relief”—he was the straight-man and did not laugh a lot but he was the catalyst to everyone around him laughing and finding humor.  A loving husband and devoted daddy, Edward was also a loyal friend, always willing to help others in need.  A simple man with a big heart, he will be greatly missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

Edward was also preceded in death by his infant son, Cary Arrington; and three brothers, Jack Arrington, Hayden Arrington and Emory Arrington. Other survivors include his children, Art Arrington (Kelli), Sheri Kniphfer and Tony Arrington (Trish); ten grandchildren, David Arrington (Sarah), Jessie Holman (Jake), Kraig Kniphfer (Sarah), Chad Kniphfer (Sky), Breanne Thomas, Billy Arrington, Tiffani Arrington, Tyler Dill-Arrington, Gavin Arrington and Caleb Arrington; five great grandchildren, Charlotte Holman, Karah Grace Kniphfer, Sevyn Knipher, Colbi Kniphfer, Jayce Johnson and Lily Johnson; five siblings, Ann Prescott, Aubrey Arrington (Nancy), Faye Williams, Nell Boulineau (Paul) and Libby Boulineau (Bennett); many nieces, nephews, in-laws, church family and friends. Pallbearers will be his grandsons—David Arrington, Jake Holman, Kraig Kniphfer, Chad Kniphfer, Billy Arrington, Tyler Dill-Arrington, Gavin Arrington and Caleb Arrington. Honorary pallbearers will be Wells McCorkle Sr, Stacy Rabun and past employees of Deerfield Specialties.

Because of his love for his great granddaughter, the family respectfully requests that, in lieu flowers, memorial contributions be made to The Karah Grace Kniphfer Fund, c/o James Funeral Home, PO Box 588, Wrens GA 30833.

The family will receive friends at James Funeral Home from 1:00 – 3:00 P.M. Wednesday afternoon, August 19, 2020 prior to the funeral services.