Obituary for Calpurnia M. Arrington
Calpurnia M. (Eley) Arrington peacefully departed this life at her Upper Marlboro, MD home on the evening of July 24, 2022, when God called her to eternity. Calpurnia was affectionately known by her family and friends as "Purna", "Purnie" and "Cal". Calpurnia was born on September 16, 1934 in Murfreesboro, North Carolina. She was preceded in death by her parents Linwood and Eulala Eley.
Calpurnia grew up on the family farm in Murfreesboro, NC surrounded by a large extended family of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. She attended the family church, Parkers Grove Baptist Church where she accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior and was baptized at an early age. She enjoyed attending church activities and many family gatherings. She was educated in the Hertford County Public Schools system and graduated from Calvin S. Brown High School in 1953.
Although Calpurnia appreciated her humble beginnings, she knew that there was more to life than farm life. So upon graduation from high school, Calpurnia left her family to attend the Cortez Peters School of Business in Washington, DC. After graduating from Cortez Peters, she began her career as a clerk in the federal government.
Calpurnia lived in the boarding house of Mr. and Mrs. George Robinsons on T Street NW, where she made many friends, including her oldest friend and church member Mr. Edward Gillus. She loved the fast pace of the city and attended many concerts at the Howard and Lincoln Theaters, going to dinners and movies. On one such occasion, Calpurnia and her girlfriend were going to the movies on U Street NW and they ran into a mutual friend and one of his buddies, a fine gentleman named Luther Arrington who soon became the love of her life.
Calpurnia and Luther were married on September 20, 1958 in DC and from that union they had two children, Michael and Linda. The family moved to Seat Pleasant, MD in 1964 and raised their family. Rather than go back into the workforce, Calpurnia worked in the home, taking care of her children and some of the neighborhood children, which later became known as (home) daycare. Her love for working with children was born and after Linda was in the 2nd grade, Calpurnia became a Title One Aide in the Prince George's County Public School System. After working as an Aide for 20 years, Calpurnia went back to school and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Early Elementary and Special Education from George Washington University in 1987. Calpurnia transitioned to a certified elementary school teacher position and continued to teach in the public school system from which she later retired after 30 years of service. She also had several home-based businesses, selling Home Decor, Personal Preference Art and Caroline Simmons Jewelry.
Calpurnia and Luther joined First Baptist Church of Highland Park in 1968. Calpurnia was a member of the September Birthday Ministry, the Missionary Ministry, the Church Directory Committee and the Women for Christ. Since teaching was in her blood, Calpurnia participated in the Tutorial Ministry and the Vacation Bible School. She also was an active member of the Senior Saints Ministry until her health declined and the pandemic surged.
Calpurnia enjoyed visiting with family and friends. Her house was always open to the neighborhood children to play in the yard or the basement when the weather was bad. She loved to cook and made excellent potato salad and sweet potato pie. She enjoyed neighborhood cookouts, going to Cabarets and playing Bid Whist. Shopping was her passion as she loved to dress and wear fabulous hats. Calpurnia loved to travel especially cruising with her husband, daughter and friends. She went on over 20 cruises going to the Caribbean, Hawaii and Europe.
Calpurnia was preceded in death by her loving and devoted husband, Luther Arrington. As a beloved mother, aunt, cousin and friend, Calpurnia is survived by her loving son, Michael and devoted daughter, Linda; her brother-in-law, William Arrington (Doris); 2 nephews, William Wall and Marcus Arrington (Sandra); two beloved nieces, Serina Arrington, and Patrice Brown (John); one great nephew, Aaron Arrington; one adored great niece, Imani Graham; an adopted son, Rev. Rodney Glover; and two special friends Doris Farris and Margaret Kemp; and a host of cousins, friends and neighbors.
Calpurnia grew up on the family farm in Murfreesboro, NC surrounded by a large extended family of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. She attended the family church, Parkers Grove Baptist Church where she accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior and was baptized at an early age. She enjoyed attending church activities and many family gatherings. She was educated in the Hertford County Public Schools system and graduated from Calvin S. Brown High School in 1953.
Although Calpurnia appreciated her humble beginnings, she knew that there was more to life than farm life. So upon graduation from high school, Calpurnia left her family to attend the Cortez Peters School of Business in Washington, DC. After graduating from Cortez Peters, she began her career as a clerk in the federal government.
Calpurnia lived in the boarding house of Mr. and Mrs. George Robinsons on T Street NW, where she made many friends, including her oldest friend and church member Mr. Edward Gillus. She loved the fast pace of the city and attended many concerts at the Howard and Lincoln Theaters, going to dinners and movies. On one such occasion, Calpurnia and her girlfriend were going to the movies on U Street NW and they ran into a mutual friend and one of his buddies, a fine gentleman named Luther Arrington who soon became the love of her life.
Calpurnia and Luther were married on September 20, 1958 in DC and from that union they had two children, Michael and Linda. The family moved to Seat Pleasant, MD in 1964 and raised their family. Rather than go back into the workforce, Calpurnia worked in the home, taking care of her children and some of the neighborhood children, which later became known as (home) daycare. Her love for working with children was born and after Linda was in the 2nd grade, Calpurnia became a Title One Aide in the Prince George's County Public School System. After working as an Aide for 20 years, Calpurnia went back to school and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Early Elementary and Special Education from George Washington University in 1987. Calpurnia transitioned to a certified elementary school teacher position and continued to teach in the public school system from which she later retired after 30 years of service. She also had several home-based businesses, selling Home Decor, Personal Preference Art and Caroline Simmons Jewelry.
Calpurnia and Luther joined First Baptist Church of Highland Park in 1968. Calpurnia was a member of the September Birthday Ministry, the Missionary Ministry, the Church Directory Committee and the Women for Christ. Since teaching was in her blood, Calpurnia participated in the Tutorial Ministry and the Vacation Bible School. She also was an active member of the Senior Saints Ministry until her health declined and the pandemic surged.
Calpurnia enjoyed visiting with family and friends. Her house was always open to the neighborhood children to play in the yard or the basement when the weather was bad. She loved to cook and made excellent potato salad and sweet potato pie. She enjoyed neighborhood cookouts, going to Cabarets and playing Bid Whist. Shopping was her passion as she loved to dress and wear fabulous hats. Calpurnia loved to travel especially cruising with her husband, daughter and friends. She went on over 20 cruises going to the Caribbean, Hawaii and Europe.
Calpurnia was preceded in death by her loving and devoted husband, Luther Arrington. As a beloved mother, aunt, cousin and friend, Calpurnia is survived by her loving son, Michael and devoted daughter, Linda; her brother-in-law, William Arrington (Doris); 2 nephews, William Wall and Marcus Arrington (Sandra); two beloved nieces, Serina Arrington, and Patrice Brown (John); one great nephew, Aaron Arrington; one adored great niece, Imani Graham; an adopted son, Rev. Rodney Glover; and two special friends Doris Farris and Margaret Kemp; and a host of cousins, friends and neighbors.