Illa Belle Daphene Arrington

Illa Belle Daphene Arrington entered into her eternal rest on Monday, May 16, 2011. She passed away at Marshall Manor West nursing home in Marshall, Texas at the age of 87 years and 9 months. Funeral services, under the direction of Croley Funeral Home, will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located on Pine Street in Gilmer on Thursday, May 19, 2011, with Bishop Lance Seahorn presiding and conducting. Visitation will take place on Wednesday, May 18, 20ll from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Croley Funeral Home in Gilmer. Burial will be at Enoch cemetery. Daphene was born on August 5, 1923, to Charley Wiley and Achsa Mae Owen at the couple's home in Glenwood, Texas. She attended school in Glenwood, East Mountain, and Gilmer. She married Orlando Garland Arrington on June 10, 1938 in Gilmer, and their homestead is located on Highway 155 South between Gilmer and Pritchett. Daphene's profession was that of a homemaker, which is the greatest of all professions. She loved her family very much, and gave unselfishly of her time and talents in the rearing of her family to the very best of her ability. There are many wonderful things that her familly will always remember and appreciate, but the greatest of these is that she was always there for them, and her greatest teaching tool was the fact that she taught by example. Daphene was preceded in death by her parents; her stepmother, Alpha Owen; her husband of 68 years, Orlando Garland Arrington; two grandchildren, Michael Dan and Joseph Roy Arrington; one sister, Charlene Smith; two half sisters, Rose Ann Holcomb and Carolyn Wood; and two brothers, Huelon Owen and Joe Owen. She is survived by her three children and their mates: Patricia Brock and her husband, Mike, of Greenville; Danny Arrington and his wife, Jean, of Gilmer; Tommie Arrington and his wife, Derenda of Marshall; one half sister, Cookie Holcomb of Gladewater; one brother, Sammy Owen and his wife, Pat, of Dallas; and one brother-in-law, John Wood, of Gilmer. In addition, she is survived by 13 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren, and 2 great, great grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces, cousins, extended family, friends, etc. Pallbearers escorting Daphene to her final resting place will be Steven Brock, John Brock, Lance Brock, David Arrington, Tony Arrington, and Chris Arrington.